Grumman American AA-5B accident near Marietta, PA
On August 2, 2002, a Grumman American AA-5B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Marietta, PA. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 2, 2002
- Place
- Marietta, PA
- Aircraft
- Grumman American AA-5B · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.088°N, 76.582°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020816X01414
Official records · NYC02FA152
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 1, 2002, about 2030 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N81310, was destroyed when it impacted terrain, shortly after takeoff from the Donegal Springs Airpark (N71), Marietta, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A witness was located about 75 feet west of the accident airplane as it was parked on the ramp at N71. The airplane caught the witness's attention because the pilot was having difficulty starting the engine. After the engine started, the airplane was taxied to the runway. The witness then proceeded by car from the airport's parking lot, where he observed the airplane in a steep 45-degree left bank, until it disappeared behind corn stalks. A second witness observed the accident airplane depart from the airport. The airplane was only airborne about 45 seconds, and the engine "cut off and on five times" before descending to the ground. A third witness observed the airplane in a sharp bank, with the left wing tipped downward and the right wing pointed towards the sky, before it disappeared below a tree line. The witness did not recall hearing any sounds from the engine. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight, at 40 degrees, 05.16 minutes north longitude, 76 degrees, 34.97 minutes west latitude, at an elevation of 446 feet. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate for single-engine land airplanes. His most recen
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to operate an airplane with known mechanical deficiencies, his improper decision to return to the airport with inadequate altitude remaining, and his failure to maintain airspeed. A factor related to the accident was the malfunction of the ignition system, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
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Browse: Pennsylvania · Grumman American aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
