Amateur-built AA-5B accident near Placerville, California, April 16, 1982
On April 16, 1982 at about 3:30 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-5B, registered N28867, was substantially damaged in an accident near Placerville, California (Swansboro airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 16, 1982 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Placerville, California · Swansboro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5B
- Registration
- N28867 · no longer on the register · serial 0873
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHEN THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT, THE TOP SURFACES OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE COVERED WITH ABOUT TWO INCHES OF SNOW. HE STATED THAT HIS PREFLIGHT INCLUDED A COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE SNOW. HOWEVER, HE ALSO STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THERE WAS A LAYER OF SNOW GRAINS, ONE-GRAIN THICK, SPARSELY COVERING THE WING AREA. THE TAKEOFF WAS STARTED ON A RUNWAY COVERED WITH 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH OF SLUSH. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE ACCELERATION WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL AND THE SNOW GRAINS WERE STAYING ON THE WINGS. HE ROTATED AT 65 KNOTS, BUT THE PLANE DID NOT LIFT-OFF AT THE NORMAL SPEED. HE DECIDED TO ABORT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. HE STATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE HYDROPLANING. THE PLANE MOMENTARILY LEFT THE GROUND AS IT CONTINUED OVER A DROP-OFF AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE STRUT COLLAPSED AS THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN MUDDY TERRAIN ABOUT 20 FT FROM A POND. THE PLANE CONTINUED INTO THE POND AND CAME TO REST IN SHALLOW WATER.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,194 hours in all; 2,157 in this make and model; 65 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 2,116 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 895 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 97 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 61Q Placerville CA at 7:30 am
- Destination: HWD Hayward CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 27, 2,400 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 300 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N28867 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.