Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A accident near Homosassa, Florida, September 21, 2014
On September 21, 2014 at about 4:05 pm local time, a 1978 Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A, registered N26676, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Homosassa, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 21, 2014 · about 4:05 pm local time
- Place
- Homosassa, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A, built 1978 · all AA-5As on the register
- Registration
- N26676 · no longer on the register · serial AA5A0640
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,300 hours in all; 1,120 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 1,190 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,850 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 4,700 as pilot in command; 450 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 27, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,580 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2014; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 1,580 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X49 Lakeland FL at 3:30 pm
- Destination: PIM Pine Mounain GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from BKV, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.