NTSB Identification: LAX87FA135.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 36555.
Accident occurred Thursday, March 05, 1987 in TUCSON, AZ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 02/06/1989
Aircraft: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5A, registration: N9917U
Injuries: 3 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ENTERING DOWNWIND WITH SMOKE TRAILING BEHIND IT. THE PILOT COMMUNICATED TO UNICOM THAT: 'THE ENGINE HAS QUIT; I HAVE TO GET DOWN'. THE WITNESS THEN OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKING A TIGHTER-THAN- NORMAL 'BASE TO FINAL' TURN. THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN AND SPUN TO THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE POWERPLANT WAS REMOVED TO A TESTING FACILITY. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE, ACCESSORIES, AND CARBURETOR REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS. THE CARBURETOR, PRIOR TO TEARDOWN, WAS INSTALLED ON A SIMILAR ENGINE AND WAS SATISFACTORILY RUN IN A TEST CELL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FLAT TERRAIN.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
AIRSPEED..NOT MAINTAINED..DUAL STUDENT
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
REMEDIAL ACTION..NOT PERFORMED..PILOT IN COMMAND(CFI)
Contributing Factors
ENGINE ASSEMBLY..UNDETERMINED
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