Grumman American AA-5A N9956U

Summary

On 29 October 1998 at about 14:00 local time, a Grumman American AA-5A registered N9956U, operated by Collins E. Brent, was involved in an accident near Scott, Arkansas, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 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

29 October 1998 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Scott, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

34.6796, -92.1195

Aircraft

Grumman American AA-5A

Registration

N9956U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Collins E. Brent

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Greenville → Little Rock

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW99LA017

1 person was seriously injured.

The disengagement of the crankshaft gear due to the maintenance personnel not installing the gear lockplate at the last engine overhaul, resulting in the loosening of the gear retaining bolt, and the subsequent fracture of the gear alignment dowel. A factor was the pilot's inadvertent stalling of the aircraft during the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Following a total loss of engine power during the en route descent to the destination airport, the aircraft landed short of the runway. During the landing flare, the airplane stalled, bounced, landed on the main landing gear and nosed over. The aircraft had flown 852 hours since the last engine overhaul and 13 hours since the last annual inspection. Examination of the engine revealed a lack of gear train continuity. Disassembly of the engine accessory case revealed that the crankshaft gear lockplate was not installed and the crankshaft gear retaining bolt had backed out of the crankshaft approximately 1 3/4 turns. The crankshaft gear alignment dowel was fractured. Review of maintenance records indicated the engine was last overhauled in January 1987 and return to service by a FAA certified mechanic.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.