# NTSB SEA96LA146: Grumman American AA-5B, N28452, St Maries, ID, July 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 1996, 17:00 local (Jul 8, 1996, 00:00 UTC) - Place: St Maries, ID - Coordinates: 47.199752, -116.550491 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1998&lon=-116.5505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42409 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42409/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA146 ## Probable cause the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to a drug (marijuana), and his failure to see-and-avoid power lines. The pilot's intentional low altitude flight was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis About three days before the accident, complaints of low-flying were reported to the local sheriff's office concerning the airplane (N28452). On the day of the accident, witnesses saw the airplane flying at 'tree height' (about 60 feet above the surface) along the St. Joe River. The witnesses reported that the airplane struck a power line, which crossed the river, knocking the line into the water. They said that following the wire strike, flames erupted from the airplane, and it continued about one mile before striking a second power line and crashing. A toxicology test of the pilot's blood revealed 0.028 mcg/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana) and 0.093 mcg/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (metabolite of marijuana). A test of his urine revealed 0.869 mcg/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 1996, approximately 1700 Pacific daylight time, N28452, a Grumman American AA-5B, being operated by the owner/pilot, struck power lines, caught fire and subsequently collided with terrain near St. Maries, Idaho. The airplane burned following the wire strike and subsequent crash. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. No flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the sheriff of Benewah County, Idaho, a low-flying complaint had been lodged with his office on N28452 approximately three days before the accident, and the airplane had been observed performing "low-altitude stunts" in the vicinity of St. Maries. On the day of the accident, witnesses reported to the sheriff that they observed the airplane flying at (in the words of one witness) "tree height [approximately 60 feet above ground level] making tight right and left sweeps following the turns in the [St. Joe] river." The witnesses reported that they then saw the airplane strike a power line crossing over the river, knocking the power line down into the river, and that following this wire strike, flames erupted from the aircraft. They stated that after the wire strike, the airplane continued approximately one mile further west, beginning a right turning climb and then turning back to the south. They reported that the airplane then struck a second power line, which ran east/west, and crashed into a field. Photos taken by deputy sheriffs who made the emergency response to the accident showed clear skies with unrestricted visibility at the accident site. These photos showed the aircraft wreckage still on fire. Photos taken by FAA investigators showed downed power lines in the accident area and sections of wire in the aircraft wreckage. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. The CAMI toxicology tests detected the presence of 0.028 ug/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana) in the pilot's blood, 0.093 ug/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marijuana) in the pilot's blood, and 0.869 ug/ml of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marijuana) in the pilot's urine. A toxicology specialist at the NTSB's headquarters in Washington, D.C. characterized these levels as "very high...supportive of heavy use of the drug", and that the levels were consistent with use of the drug "within a few minutes of the accident." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28452](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28452-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N AA5B0617 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5B - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5B0617 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mills, Martin B. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: S72 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19960707016259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960707016259A), Jul 7, 1996: Gulstm AA5B, St Maries, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed low passes steep turns at tree level. Hit powerline. Burned on impact. High level recent use marijuana. ## Other investigations on N28452 (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX87LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA273), Jul 20, 1987: Grumman AA-5B (N28452), Lake Tahoe, CA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.