Grumman American AA-5A N27221

Summary

On 9 June 2001 at about 12:47 local time, a Grumman American AA-5A registered N27221 was involved in an accident near Danbury, Connecticut, United States. 2 people were on board and 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

9 June 2001 at 12:47

Classification

Accident

Location

Danbury, Connecticut, United States

Nearest airport

Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Grumman American AA-5A

Registration

N27221

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hartford → Reading

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD01LA068

2 people had minor injuries.

the pilot's misjudged altitude and excessive airspeed resulting in a collision with a pole. A factor was the cracked exhaust stack, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was in cruise flight at 6,500 feet, about 7 miles west of the airport, when the engine lost partial power. The pilot contacted Danbury tower, proceeded direct to the airport, and circled about 1 mile west of the runway to lose altitude. The controller provided weather information and asked the pilot if he would like to land on runway 26 or 35. The pilot opted for runway 26 because it was longer. Upon passing through 3,000 feet, the controller asked the pilot if he could make a left 270 degree turn, and the pilot acknowledged. About a minute later, the pilot reported that the engine was running rough, but still producing power. While on final approach, the pilot made s-turns, and the controller gave him the option to make another 270 degree turn to lose altitude. On final approach, witnesses observed the airplane in a "dramatic" slip, and that it was too high and fast to land on the 4,422 foot long runway. At mid-field, the airplane was still "extremely fast" at a height level with the control tower, about 62 feet. Near the end of the runway, the pilot applied power to go-around, but the engine did not respond. The airplane continued to descend and collided with a pole about a 1/4- mile from the end of runway 8. Examination of the engine revealed that the #3 exhaust stack exhibited a 3/4-inch wide horizontal crack along the rim of the weld line. Additionally, the pilot had a 3,135 foot long perpendicular runway available for landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.