Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A accident near Linden, North Carolina, June 14, 2011
On June 14, 2011 at about 2:40 pm local time, a Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A, registered N8476B, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Linden, North Carolina (Flyers Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2011 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Linden, North Carolina · Flyers Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A · all AA-5As on the register
- Registration
- N8476B · no longer on the register · serial AA5A-0859
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that, during the initial climb, the airplane felt like the engine was not developing full power and was not going to clear a tree at the end of the runway. He lowered the nose, and the airplane settled into trees. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and a postcrash fire ensued. Postcrash fire damage precluded an inspection of the fuel or ignition system; however, examination of the engine revealed that the No. 4 valves were seized, consistent with thermal damage from the fire. The examination also revealed that the compression was lower on the No. 1 cylinder. The examination could not determine if the lower compression was a preimpact condition or a result of the impact and fire damage.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,619 hours in all; 696 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,600 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 3, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,372 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 6, 2010; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 9NC2 Linden NC at 2:40 pm
- Destination: 9NC2 Linden NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 2,850 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from FBG, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N8476B the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.