Amateur-built AA-5B accident near Barre, Massachusetts, October 25, 1987
On October 25, 1987, a amateur-built AA-5B, registered N333FG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Barre, Massachusetts (Tanner-Hiller 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 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
- October 25, 1987
- Place
- Barre, Massachusetts · Tanner-Hiller
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5B
- Registration
- N333FG · registry record · serial AA5B0909
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS. THE PLT MADE AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN A SLIP PRIOR TO AND AT THE TIME OF THE REPORTED POWER LOSS. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE TESTED SATISFACTORILY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THAT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME. IN ADDITION, THEY REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF 207 LBS OVER ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT FOR A 50 MINUTE FLIGHT. CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.
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: 97 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 48 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Triple 3 Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: Farmingdale NY at 11:50 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 24, 2,810 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.