Amateur-built AA5B accident near Crystal River, Florida, June 14, 2004
On June 14, 2004 at about 1:45 pm local time, a amateur-built AA5B, registered N4516V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Crystal River, Florida (Crystal River airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the number three cylinder exhaust valve which resulted in the partial loss of engine power. The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance resulted in an overrun of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2004 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Crystal River, Florida · Crystal River · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA5B
- Registration
- N4516V · no longer on the register · serial AA5B-1022
- 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 he was en route to Athens, Georgia, and the airplane was in level cruise flight at 8,000 feet, when all of a sudden the engine started running roughly. He stated that he was unable to maintain altitude, so he declared an emergency with FAA Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center, and was given vectors for Crystal River Airport, Crystal River, Florida. He stated that he flew the subsequent approach to a forced landing with too much speed, and was unable to stop the airplane on the runway. As he was nearing the end of the runway, he stated that he thought he had enough power to execute a go-around, but as he was attempting to do so, he was able to avoid the fence, but collided with some trees. Post crash examination of the airplane's engine showed no compression was noted in the No. 3 cylinder. Further examination revealed that the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve head was missing and that the cylinder head and top of the piston had incurred mechanical damage. The center electrode of No. 3's upper spark plug showed evidence of physical contact, and was found pushed against the side electrodes. Two pieces of metal appearing to be pieces of the valve head were found in the exhaust system. According to information obtained from the pilot, the engine had accumulated a total of 1,547 total flight hours since overhaul, and 56 flight hours since its last annual inspection, which had been conducted in October 2003.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 314 hours in all; 58 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 297 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 5, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,547 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2003; 56 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: SRQ Satasota-Braden FL at 1:00 pm
- Destination: AHN Athens GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 09, 4,700 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from OCF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.