Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A accident near Lakeview, Oregon, August 22, 2010
On August 22, 2010 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A, registered N26118, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lakeview, Oregon (Lake County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a stuck exhaust valve.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 22, 2010 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeview, Oregon · Lake County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A · all AA-5As on the register
- Registration
- N26118 · no longer on the register · serial AA5A0440
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the preflight run-up was uneventful. Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 150 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly dropped rpm; the pilot verified fuel quantity, and attempted to lean the engine. Despite the pilot’s efforts, the problem persisted, and he initiated a forced landing into a nearby field. During the landing roll, the airplane’s left wing struck a fence post, and its empennage collided with high sage brush. Examination of the engine by a certificated airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic revealed low compression within the number three cylinder. Further examination revealed that the exhaust valve was stuck in the full open position. The examination revealed no further anomalies with the cylinder assembly or engine.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2010
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KLKV Lakeview OR at 6:50 pm
- Destination: KBNO Burns OR
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 34, 5,306 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 am from KLKV, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.