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NTSB Report
November 21, 1986 · Gulfstream AA-5B · N4520D
Fullerton, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Fullerton, CA
Aircraft
Gulfstream AA-5B
Tail Number
N4520D
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA046
A GULFSTREAM AMERICAN AA-5B LOST POWER AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WHILE ON AN IFR TRAINING FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD JUST SWITCHED FUEL TANKS WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN QUIT RUNNING. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE PRIVATE PILOT UNDERGOING INSTRUMENT TRAINING CONDUCTED THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WITHOUT THE AID OF THE AIRCRAFT OPERATORS MANUAL. HE DID NOT CHECK THE LEFT AND RIGHT WING FUEL SUMP DRAINS. AIRCRAFT FUEL SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FROM THE RIGHT AND LEFT WING TANK FUEL SUMPS AND FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR. LABRATORY TEST RESULTS INDICATED THE FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR CONTAINED 12.6 % WATER BY VOLUME. THE RIGHT FUEL SUMP ALSO CONTAINED TRACES OF WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE REFUELING TRUCK SAMPLE DID NOT REVEAL ANY IMPURITIES.
Full Narrative
A GULFSTREAM AMERICAN AA-5B LOST POWER AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WHILE ON AN IFR TRAINING FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD JUST SWITCHED FUEL TANKS WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN QUIT RUNNING. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE PRIVATE PILOT UNDERGOING INSTRUMENT TRAINING CONDUCTED THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WITHOUT THE AID OF THE AIRCRAFT OPERATORS MANUAL. HE DID NOT CHECK THE LEFT AND RIGHT WING FUEL SUMP DRAINS. AIRCRAFT FUEL SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FROM THE RIGHT AND LEFT WING TANK FUEL SUMPS AND FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR. LABRATORY TEST RESULTS INDICATED THE FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR CONTAINED 12.6 % WATER BY VOLUME. THE RIGHT FUEL SUMP ALSO CONTAINED TRACES OF WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE REFUELING TRUCK SAMPLE DID NOT REVEAL ANY IMPURITIES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:33 PST
Nearest AirportFullerton (1nm ENE)
Runway24
Runway Length3121 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGulfstream AA-5B
Tail NumberN4520D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 5 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 3800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:33