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NTSB Report
November 20, 1983 · Grumman American AA-5B · N28420
Boulder, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 20, 1983
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Boulder, CO
Aircraft
Grumman American AA-5B
Tail Number
N28420
Operator
Castlewood Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN84FA027
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT HAD MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND & DURING EACH ATTEMPT HE OVERSHOT HIS APPROACH & EXECUTED A GO-AROUND WITHOUT TOUCHING DOWN. ON THE FOURTH ATTEMPT HE DID TOUCH DOWN BUT APPEARED TO BE TOO FAST & THE ACFT SKIPPED & BOUNCED. AFTER PASSING HALFWAY DOWN THE 4,100 FT RWY, THE ACFT BEGAN PORPOISING & THE WINGS WERE ROCKING BACK & FORTH. JUST BEFORE REACHING THE END OF THE RWY, THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE STRIKING A RWY LIGHT. THE WITNESSES HEARD THE ENG RPM INCREASE & THEY WATCHED THE ACFT STAGGER OFF THE GROUND UNTIL IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A STEEP DROP-OFF ABOUT 300 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED AT THE BOTTOM OF A RAVINE, FLIPPED OVER & IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT FIRE. TEN DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE PLT RECEIVED A 1.6-HR CHECK-OUT IN THE ACFT. HE DID NOT FLY AGAIN UNTIL THE ACCIDENT FLT.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT HAD MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND & DURING EACH ATTEMPT HE OVERSHOT HIS APPROACH & EXECUTED A GO-AROUND WITHOUT TOUCHING DOWN. ON THE FOURTH ATTEMPT HE DID TOUCH DOWN BUT APPEARED TO BE TOO FAST & THE ACFT SKIPPED & BOUNCED. AFTER PASSING HALFWAY DOWN THE 4,100 FT RWY, THE ACFT BEGAN PORPOISING & THE WINGS WERE ROCKING BACK & FORTH. JUST BEFORE REACHING THE END OF THE RWY, THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE STRIKING A RWY LIGHT. THE WITNESSES HEARD THE ENG RPM INCREASE & THEY WATCHED THE ACFT STAGGER OFF THE GROUND UNTIL IT DISAPPEARED BEHIND A STEEP DROP-OFF ABOUT 300 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED AT THE BOTTOM OF A RAVINE, FLIPPED OVER & IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT FIRE. TEN DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE PLT RECEIVED A 1.6-HR CHECK-OUT IN THE ACFT. HE DID NOT FLY AGAIN UNTIL THE ACCIDENT FLT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 MST
Nearest AirportBOULDER (0nm N)
Runway8
Runway Length4100 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGrumman American AA-5B
Tail NumberN28420
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCastlewood Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 8
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 5 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT