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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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February 28, 1985 · Grumman American AA-5 · N9228L

Horseshoe Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 28, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Horseshoe Beach, FL
Aircraft
Grumman American AA-5
Tail Number
N9228L
Operator
Ted N Denny
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA85FA106

THE ACFT CRASHED IN THE GULF OF MEXICO WHILE THE PLT WAS ON A NIGHT X-COUNTRY FLT. THE WX AT THE DESTINATION HAD BEEN FORCAST TO BE IFR. HOWEVER, IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT, WITNESSES STATED THE WX WAS GOOD WITH NO FOG & IT WAS A DARK NIGHT. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND THE NEXT DAY AT 1106 EST WHERE THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 3 MI SOUTH OF HORSESHOE BEACH. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT THE ACFT HAD ENTERED A SPIRAL BEFORE CONTACT WAS LOST IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL; HOWEVER, SOME OR ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO PUTREFACTION.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED IN THE GULF OF MEXICO WHILE THE PLT WAS ON A NIGHT X-COUNTRY FLT. THE WX AT THE DESTINATION HAD BEEN FORCAST TO BE IFR. HOWEVER, IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT, WITNESSES STATED THE WX WAS GOOD WITH NO FOG & IT WAS A DARK NIGHT. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND THE NEXT DAY AT 1106 EST WHERE THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 3 MI SOUTH OF HORSESHOE BEACH. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT THE ACFT HAD ENTERED A SPIRAL BEFORE CONTACT WAS LOST IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL; HOWEVER, SOME OR ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO PUTREFACTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:39 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman American AA-5
Tail NumberN9228L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTed N Denny
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2G · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind310° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:49
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data