# NTSB SEA90LA070: Grumman AA-5, N7127L, Port Orchard, WA, April 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1990, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Port Orchard, WA
- Coordinates: 47.540157, -122.579994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5402&lon=-122.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA070

## Probable cause

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, AND THE INSTALLATION OF AN IMPROPER CARBURETOR.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PRESENCE OF TREES AND STUMPS IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,carburetor - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER ARRIVAL, THE PLT DECIDED TO MAKE A LOW APCH OVER THE ARPT TO CHECK THE RWY.  AS HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT ABOUT 100 TO 200 FT AGL, THE ENG RAN ROUGH & WOULD NOT DEVELOP SUFFICIENT POWER TO SUSTAIN FLT.  AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A 'LOGGED-OUT AREA.'  DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT HIT SMALL TREES & STUMPS, & WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THAT THE WRONG TYPE OF CARBURETOR WAS INSTALLED ON THE ENG & THAT THE CARBURETOR FLOAT WOULD 'HANG UP' INTERMITTENTLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7127L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7127L-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N AA5-0427, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-0427
- Airframe hours: 3739
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gower Flying Service
- Registered owner: Randy Brooks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 26, 1990, 76 hours before
- Departed: OLM, OLYMPIA, WA
- Destination: OS8, PORT ORCHARD, WA
- Airport: 0S8, Port Orchard, runway 36, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWT, 5 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 19900430011989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900430011989A), Apr 30, 1990: Gulstm AA5, Port Orchard, WA, Destroyed. Made low pass to check runway. Engine roughened,lost power. Crash landed. Had wrong,defective carburetor installed.

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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