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NTSB Report
August 10, 1986 · Grumman AA-5 · N5481L
Cleveland, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Cleveland, WA
Aircraft
Grumman AA-5
Tail Number
N5481L
Operator
Western Wings
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86FA188
THE LOW TIME PILOT DEPARTED WITH TWO RELATIVES ABOARD FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER OMAK LAKE AND THEN COMMENCING A CLIMBING LEFT TURN TOWARD HIGHER TERRAIN. DURING THE CLIMBOUT, THE PILOT PERCEIVED A LOSS OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS NEAR 100 DEGREES RESULTING IN A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF NEARLY 6,000 FEET MSL AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR ITS GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN WINGS LEVEL INTO TERRAIN WHOSE RATE OF UPSLOPE EXCEEDED THE RATE OF CLIMB CAPABILITIES OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE GIVEN CONDITIONS OF THE FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE LOW TIME PILOT DEPARTED WITH TWO RELATIVES ABOARD FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER OMAK LAKE AND THEN COMMENCING A CLIMBING LEFT TURN TOWARD HIGHER TERRAIN. DURING THE CLIMBOUT, THE PILOT PERCEIVED A LOSS OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS NEAR 100 DEGREES RESULTING IN A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF NEARLY 6,000 FEET MSL AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR ITS GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN WINGS LEVEL INTO TERRAIN WHOSE RATE OF UPSLOPE EXCEEDED THE RATE OF CLIMB CAPABILITIES OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE GIVEN CONDITIONS OF THE FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGrumman AA-5
Tail NumberN5481L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWestern Wings
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2G · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind350° @ 3 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:40
Weather SourceWFAC