Amateur-built AA-5A accident near Ponte Vedra, Florida, September 14, 2005
On September 14, 2005 at about 10:45 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-5A, registered N9954U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ponte Vedra, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the airplane being ditched in a marsh.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 14, 2005 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Ponte Vedra, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5A
- Registration
- N9954U · no longer on the register · serial AA5A0354
- 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 after more than 30 minutes of flight, the engine began to sputter and it ceased operating. He said he immediately switched on the electric pump and attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. He said the engine was idling at approximately 1,000 rpm, with the propeller windmilling during the forced landing. He said he conducted emergency procedures, and made a forced landing into the marsh. During the landing, the airplane flipped upside down and came to rest inverted, partially submerged in the water. Postcrash examination of the accident airplane was performed by an FAA licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic, and no anomalies were noted.
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: 86 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 49 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OMN Ormond Beach FL at 8:45 pm
- Destination: CRG Craig FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 pm from SGJ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.