Grumman AA-5A accident near Fitchburg, Massachusetts, November 13, 1983
On November 13, 1983 at about 9:20 pm local time, a Grumman AA-5A, registered N26445, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fitchburg, Massachusetts (Fitchburg airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- November 13, 1983 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Fitchburg, Massachusetts · Fitchburg
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman AA-5A
- Registration
- N26445 · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE LOST POWER ON TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A RESIDENTAL AREA. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT BETWEEN TWO HOMES AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND FELL TOTHE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MALFUNCTIONS; HOWEVER, THE SWAGE FOR THE CONDUIT IN THE VERNIER THROTTLE CONTROL DID NOT HOLD THE CONDUIT IN PLACE. THE THROTTLE HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT APPROX 12 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTROL WAS NOT APPROVED FOR INSTALLATION BY THE FAA.
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
- Flight time: 93 hours in all; 92 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Unknown (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6B6 Stow MA
- Runway 32, 4,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 12°F (-11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from ORH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
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.