Amateur-built AA-5A accident near Harrisville, Michigan, August 30, 2003
On August 30, 2003 at about 6:18 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-5A, registered N9574U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Harrisville, Michigan (Harrisville Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. A factor to the accident was the trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 2003 · about 6:18 pm local time
- Place
- Harrisville, Michigan · Harrisville Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5A
- Registration
- N9574U · registry record · serial AA5-0074
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing after takeoff. The pilot reported that prior to the short-field takeoff he completed a "standard runup and instrument checks." The pilot stated that the engine "cut out" at approximately 1,200 feet msl while he was maneuvering to depart the traffic pattern. The pilot reported that he "immediately got the plane in a [descent] attitude to keep airspeed up (70 mph). [The pilot] performed a cursory review of the instruments. [Magnetos] were on both, fuel pump on, full throttle and mixture." The pilot stated that the airplane impacted between two pine trees during the forced landing. No pre-impact anomalies were found with the airframe or its engine. No fuel contamination was found in the fuel sample obtained from the carburetor bowl. During the on-scene investigation the engine was started and successfully run at idle power. The engine ran on both magnetos and while isolated on each individual magneto. A full throttle engine run could not be accomplished due to propeller damage, however, the engine responded to momentary throttle inputs.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 355 hours in all; 154 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 355 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 21, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,717 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 22, 2003; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5Y0 Harrisville MI at 6:18 pm
- Destination: 57D Ray MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 2,200 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from OSC, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.