Grumman AA-5A N26442

Summary

On 22 September 2007 at about 18:55 local time, a Grumman AA-5A registered N26442, operated by William G. Steven, was involved in an accident near Worthington, Kentucky, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 September 2007 at 18:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Worthington, Kentucky, United States

Nearest airport

Ashland Regional (DWU)

Coordinates

38.5544, -82.7381

Aircraft

Grumman AA-5A

Registration

N26442

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

William G. Steven

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Worthington → Leitchfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA07LA155

1 person died.

The separation of the engine's No. 4 piston from the crankshaft for unidentified reasons and the pilot's continued operation with known equipment deficiencies.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot replaced the accident airplane’s vacuum pump on the day of the accident. During the airplane's flight to a nearby airport, the engine lost the majority of its oil. At the destination airport, the engine was examined for the leak. According to witness staements, the vacuum pump had been installed incorrectly. The discrepancy was corrected and the pilot added 4 quarts of oil to the engine and attempted to return to his home airport; however, the engine overheated during the initial phase of the flight and the pilot returned to the departing airport. He purchased more engine oil, servicing the engine to the full level. Although several people suggested that the pilot have the engine further examined, he declined saying that he had "Get-Home-Itis." Once again the pilot took off for his home airport, but the engine lost all power during the initial climb. The pilot ditched the airplane in a nearby river in a flat attitude, where it submerged. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the No. 4 engine piston had separated from the crankshaft. The pilot did not hold an airframe and powerplant certificate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.