Grumman American AA5B N1966L

Summary

On 5 July 2003 at about 15:00 local time, a Grumman American AA5B registered N1966L was involved in an accident near Block Island, Rhode Island, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 July 2003 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Block Island, Rhode Island, United States

Nearest airport

Block Island State (BID)

Coordinates

41.1681, -71.5778

Aircraft

Grumman American AA5B

Registration

N1966L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

W. Hampton Bch. → Block Island

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03LA150

4 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, after a loss of engine power as reported by the pilot. Factors in this accident were the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and the crosswind condition.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was in the traffic pattern to land on runway 28, a 2,501-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot reported that when he turned onto the final approach, the engine began "coughing and sputtering." He then "stretched" the landing to make the runway. The airplane struck the runway hard, bounced, and the engine then gained full power. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and struck three parked airplanes, which were located about 1,200 feet from the approach end of the runway, and 500 feet to the right of it. A passenger seated in the right front seat stated that the airplane was close to the runway, less than "100 feet above the ground," when he heard the engine "cough or sputter." He observed the pilot pull the throttle back and the airplane struck the runway "hard." The pilot pushed the throttle in, and the engine seemed to "rev up." The airplane then departed the right side of the runway. Another passenger stated that it seemed like the engine became quieter just before landing, "almost simultaneously," with the airplane contacting the runway. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions. Two weather observations taken at the airport around the time of the accident, reported that the winds were from 240 degrees at 15 knots, and from 250 degrees at 15 knots, with 17 knot gusts.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.