Grumman American AA-5A N26316

Summary

On 25 June 2008 at about 16:00 local time, a Grumman American AA-5A registered N26316, operated by Glen Moorman, was involved in an accident near Carrollton, Kentucky, United States. 3 people were on board and one 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

25 June 2008 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Carrollton, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

38.6931, -85.1444

Aircraft

Grumman American AA-5A

Registration

N26316

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Glen Moorman

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Madison → Madison

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC08CA288

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper fuel tank selection, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to departure, the pilot visually observed approximately 12 gallons of fuel in the left wing tank and 8 gallons in the right fuel tank, of the Grumman AA-5A. His examination of the fuel gauges confirmed the same amount. He performed a run-up inspection, departed from the airport, and after approximately 45 minutes he noticed the engine oil temperature began to rise. Shortly after, the engine rpm decreased to 1800 rpm, the pilot initiated a descent, and looked for a place to land. He proceeded toward a grass landing strip and when the airplane was at an altitude of 500 feet, the engine lost power. He realized he would not be able to make it to the landing site, and performed a forced landing to the river ahead of him. The airplane came to rest upright and floated for several minutes, while the occupants egressed and swam to shore. After the airplane was recovered from the river, 10-12 gallons of fuel were drained from the right wing fuel tank. The left fuel tank was empty, and the fuel selector was selected to the left tank.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.