Grumman American Avn AA-5A N26676

Summary

On 21 September 2014 at about 16:05 local time, a Grumman American Avn AA-5A registered N26676, operated by Deford Francis D, was involved in an accident near Homosassa, Florida, United States. 2 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

21 September 2014 at 16:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Homosassa, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.7833, -82.6167

Aircraft

Grumman American Avn AA-5A

Registration

N26676

Category

Airplane

Year built

1978

Engines

1

Operator

Deford Francis D

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lakeland → Pine Mounain

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14LA451

1 person had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, when the airplane was in cruise flight at 1,500 ft above ground level, the engine began to intermittently run roughly. The pilot initially applied carburetor heat, but he then turned it off because he did not observe the engine power improve. The engine power loss became more consistent, and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot attempted to divert to a nearby airport while the pilot-rated passenger tried to restore engine power; however, the airport was 5 miles away, and the airplane could not glide that far at its altitude. The pilot then attempted to perform a forced landing to a field. During the approach, the pilot-rated passenger took control of the airplane, which subsequently collided with power lines, impacted the field, and then came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage revealed that 25 gallons of fuel remained onboard. Examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. When the propeller was rotated by hand, camshaft, crankshaft, and valve train continuity were confirmed, and thumb compression was attained on all cylinders. The magnetos produced spark at all of the leads, and no obstructions were observed in the carburetor venturi. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious icing at glide power; however, the engine was at cruise power when the power loss occurred.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.