# NTSB SEA86FA188: Grumman AA-5, N5481L, Cleveland, WA, August 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1986, 20:15 local (Aug 10, 1986, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, WA
- Coordinates: 48.359897, -119.270187 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3599&lon=-119.2702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA188

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE LOW TIME PILOT DEPARTED WITH TWO RELATIVES ABOARD FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER OMAK LAKE AND THEN COMMENCING A CLIMBING LEFT TURN TOWARD HIGHER TERRAIN. DURING THE CLIMBOUT, THE PILOT PERCEIVED A LOSS OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS NEAR 100 DEGREES RESULTING IN A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF NEARLY 6,000 FEET MSL AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR ITS GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN WINGS LEVEL INTO TERRAIN WHOSE RATE OF UPSLOPE EXCEEDED THE RATE OF CLIMB CAPABILITIES OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE GIVEN CONDITIONS OF THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5481L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA50681
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Western Wings, Inc., doing business as Cloud Buster
- Registered owner: Larry A. Page
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 29, 1985, 60 hours before
- Departed: OMK, OMAK, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 92 total, 15 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMK, 13 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860809074059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860809074059A), Aug 9, 1986: Gulstm AA5, Omak, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft impacted a ridge during low altitude operations. Density altitude a factor. Pilot medical had expired.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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