Grumman AA-5B accident near Pleasantville, Pennsylvania, August 6, 2003
On August 6, 2003 at about 11:40 am local time, a Grumman AA-5B, registered N28788, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pleasantville, Pennsylvania (Johnstown County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper IFR procedure by his failure to maintain published altitudes, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain. A factor was his impairment due to prescription medication.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 6, 2003 · about 11:40 am local time
- Place
- Pleasantville, Pennsylvania · Johnstown County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Grumman AA-5B
- Registration
- N28788 · no longer on the register · serial AA5B0816
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot attempted an ILS approach, which consisted of an inbound, 331-degree course, magnetic. The minimum glideslope crossing altitude at the initial approach fix was 4,484 feet msl. Radar data indicated the airplane tracked inbound on headings varying from 360 degrees to 270 degrees. Approximately 6.7 miles from the initial approach fix, the airplane descended from 4,600 feet to 3,400 feet, at a rate of 850 fpm. The last radar hit was recorded at 3,400 feet, approximately 4.7 miles from the initial approach fix. The airplane was located about 11 miles from the end of the runway, at an elevation of 2,461 feet, about 300 feet below the peak of a ridgeline. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies. According to the pilot's toxicology test results, 6.51 (ug/ml, ug/g) of DESIPRAMINE was detected in his blood, and DESIPRAMINE and IMIPRAMINE were detected in his urine. The pilot's wife reported that the pilot had been taking Desipramine for approximately 10 years, to treat depression. She stated that she was a doctor and had prescribed the Desipramine to him. A review of the pilot's FAA medical file revealed he never reported taking Desipramine, and never reported any history of mental disorders. Imipramine is a prescription antidepressant, and often results in sedation and psychomotor impairment in healthy adults. Desipramine is a metabolite of imipramine and a prescription antidepressant in its own right. The levels of desipramine found in the pilot's toxicology report were more than 20 times the expected level for chronic use of a typical dose. Nonfatal overdose effects of desipramine, at amounts lower than reported on the pilot's toxicology, have resulted in seizures, coma, low blood pressure, and electrocardiographic (EKG) abnormalities.
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: 931 hours in all; 14 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 841 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 16, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,242.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 21, 2003; 43 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W29 Bay Bridge MD at 10:00 am
- Destination: JST Johnstown PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 33
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1.5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 800 ft; a few clouds at 400 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 11:27 am from JST, 11 miles away
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.