Grumman AA-5A accident near Boxboro, Massachusetts, October 13, 1991
On October 13, 1991 at about 12:12 pm local time, a Grumman AA-5A, registered N26697, was substantially damaged in an accident near Boxboro, Massachusetts (Minuteman airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 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 PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT TO REMOVE ICE/FROST FROM THE AIRCRAFT WINGS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 13, 1991 · about 12:12 pm local time
- Place
- Boxboro, Massachusetts · Minuteman
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman AA-5A
- Registration
- N26697 · no longer on the register · serial AA5A0653
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING PREFLIGHT FOR A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT FAILED TO REMOVE AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE AND FROST FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AT A GROSS WEIGHT AT OR NEAR MAXIMUM AND SETTLED INTO A GROVE OF TREES APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER MILE OFF THE END OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY.
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: 250 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 205 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,278 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Stone Aviation Service
The flight
- Departed from: 6B6 Stow MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 2,600 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 12:45 pm from 6B6, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.