On May 27, 1987, a Grumman AA5A (registration N26378) operated by Fletcher Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Malakoff, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the exhaust valve in the number three cylinder. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft suffered an engine failure near Malakoff, Texas, leading to a forced landing attempt that resulted in a crash into a lake after bouncing off the road.
What happened
The aircraft impacted terrain in the vicinity of Malakoff, Texas. Following an unexpected engine failure, the pilot attempted to execute a forced landing on a road that crossed a dam. The aircraft touched down on the road but bounced into the adjacent lake.
The investigation
A subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the exhaust valve in the number three cylinder had failed.
Findings
The mechanical failure of the exhaust valve was the primary factor leading to the loss of power and the subsequent accident.
Probable cause
The failure of the exhaust valve in the number three cylinder.
What happened in the 27 May 1987 Grumman AA5A accident near Malakoff, TX?
An aircraft suffered an engine failure near Malakoff, Texas, leading to a forced landing attempt that resulted in a crash into a lake after bouncing off the road.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 May 1987 involved a Grumman AA5A, registration N26378, operated by Fletcher Aviation, at Malakoff, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The failure of the exhaust valve in the number three cylinder.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…