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NTSB Report
March 6, 1987 · Grumman American AA-5A · N9917U
Tucson, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 6, 1987
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Grumman American AA-5A
Tail Number
N9917U
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA135
A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ENTERING DOWNWIND WITH SMOKE TRAILING BEHIND IT. THE PILOT COMMUNICATED TO UNICOM THAT: 'THE ENGINE HAS QUIT; I HAVE TO GET DOWN'. THE WITNESS THEN OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKING A TIGHTER-THAN- NORMAL 'BASE TO FINAL' TURN. THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN AND SPUN TO THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE POWERPLANT WAS REMOVED TO A TESTING FACILITY. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE, ACCESSORIES, AND CARBURETOR REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS. THE CARBURETOR, PRIOR TO TEARDOWN, WAS INSTALLED ON A SIMILAR ENGINE AND WAS SATISFACTORILY RUN IN A TEST CELL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FLAT TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ENTERING DOWNWIND WITH SMOKE TRAILING BEHIND IT. THE PILOT COMMUNICATED TO UNICOM THAT: 'THE ENGINE HAS QUIT; I HAVE TO GET DOWN'. THE WITNESS THEN OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKING A TIGHTER-THAN- NORMAL 'BASE TO FINAL' TURN. THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN AND SPUN TO THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE POWERPLANT WAS REMOVED TO A TESTING FACILITY. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE, ACCESSORIES, AND CARBURETOR REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS. THE CARBURETOR, PRIOR TO TEARDOWN, WAS INSTALLED ON A SIMILAR ENGINE AND WAS SATISFACTORILY RUN IN A TEST CELL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FLAT TERRAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 MST
Nearest AirportRyan Field (1nm W)
Runway6
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGrumman American AA-5A
Tail NumberN9917U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2G · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:52
Weather SourceWFAC