Amateur-built AA5-A accident near Plainfield, Massachusetts, May 19, 1990
On May 19, 1990 at about 5:40 pm local time, a amateur-built AA5-A, registered N26302, was substantially damaged in an accident near Plainfield, Massachusetts. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SWITCH THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE PROPER TANK. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS NEAR THE FIELD.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 19, 1990 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Plainfield, Massachusetts
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA5-A
- Registration
- N26302 · no longer on the register · serial A5A0516
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE EXECUTING A FORCED LANDING INTO AN OPEN FIELD AFTER A POWER LOSS, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AS THE PILOT PULLED THE NOSE UP TO AVOID TREES AND LANDED HARD. THERE WAS NO FUEL PRESENT AT THE CARBURETOR OR IN THE LINES FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE RIGHT TANK. NO MORE THAN 3/4-CUP OF FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE LEFT WING WAS BROKEN AND FUEL WAS POURING OUT.
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: 125 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 82 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,989 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 14, 1990; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PWK Chicago IL at 12:20 pm
- Destination: B09 Tewksbury MA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 27 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.