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NTSB Report
December 15, 1987 · Grumman AA-5A · N74085
Rome, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Rome, NY
Aircraft
Grumman AA-5A
Tail Number
N74085
Operator
Dick Lee
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88LA057
THE FLIGHT WAS ENROUTE FROM WATERTOWN TO GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK WHEN SNOW SQUALLS OF VARYING INTENSITY AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE PILOT STATED THAT FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS MARGINAL. THE ENGINE FAILED SHORTLY AFTER CHANGING HEADING TOWARDS UTICA, NEW YORK. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, BUT DURING THE APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT CLIPPED TREE TOPS, DESCENDED TO THE GND, HIT LEFT WING FIRST, AND FLIPPED OVER. POST ACC ENG DISASSEMBLY REVEALED A BROKEN #2 CONNECTING ROD AND EVIDENCE OF LOCALIZED OIL STARVATION. OIL FLOW TO #2 CONNECTING ROD WAS OBSTRUCTED BY METAL PARTICLES FROM SPALLED VALVE TAPPET FACE.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT WAS ENROUTE FROM WATERTOWN TO GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK WHEN SNOW SQUALLS OF VARYING INTENSITY AND GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE PILOT STATED THAT FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS MARGINAL. THE ENGINE FAILED SHORTLY AFTER CHANGING HEADING TOWARDS UTICA, NEW YORK. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, BUT DURING THE APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT CLIPPED TREE TOPS, DESCENDED TO THE GND, HIT LEFT WING FIRST, AND FLIPPED OVER. POST ACC ENG DISASSEMBLY REVEALED A BROKEN #2 CONNECTING ROD AND EVIDENCE OF LOCALIZED OIL STARVATION. OIL FLOW TO #2 CONNECTING ROD WAS OBSTRUCTED BY METAL PARTICLES FROM SPALLED VALVE TAPPET FACE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGrumman AA-5A
Tail NumberN74085
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDick Lee
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO