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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 11, 1990 · Grumman AA5B · N74242

Beachwood, OH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Beachwood, OH
Aircraft
Grumman AA5B
Tail Number
N74242
Operator
Gary a Audet
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC90DEI02

THE AIRPLANE ENGINE FAILED AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. DURING THE RESULTANT FORCED LANDING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND A MOVING AUTOMOBILE. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED ACROSS THE ROADWAY, INTO A GUARDRAIL AND FLIPPED AROUND BEFORE IT CAME TO A REST. POST-IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE AFT OF THE FIREWALL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE AIRPLANE'S FIRST FLIGHT AFTER ENGINE OVERHAUL. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED MASSIVE INTERNAL DISINTEGRATION. THE OVERHAUL WAS NOT PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON AND WAS NOT PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS/GUIDANCE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO AN IMPROPER ENGINE OVERHAUL PERFORMED BY UNQUALIFIED PERSONS. THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

THE AIRPLANE ENGINE FAILED AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. DURING THE RESULTANT FORCED LANDING ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND A MOVING AUTOMOBILE. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED ACROSS THE ROADWAY, INTO A GUARDRAIL AND FLIPPED AROUND BEFORE IT CAME TO A REST. POST-IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE AFT OF THE FIREWALL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE AIRPLANE'S FIRST FLIGHT AFTER ENGINE OVERHAUL. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED MASSIVE INTERNAL DISINTEGRATION. THE OVERHAUL WAS NOT PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON AND WAS NOT PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS/GUIDANCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman AA5B
Tail NumberN74242
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGary a Audet
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 8 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data