N414DJ

On January 17, 2008, about 1411 eastern standard time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N414DJ, registered to Super Tiger LLC, and operated by a commercial pilot, collided into a frozen marsh following a loss of engine power shortly after take-off from the Woodward Memorial Airport (OWD), in Norwood, Massachusetts. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported no injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, after normal preflight and engine run-up, he departed runway 17 and noted that the engine was developing 2250 revolutions per minute. Initial climb out was normal, but after reaching about 200 feet above ground level the engine suddenly sputtered and quit. He declared an emergency, and with little runway left to land straight ahead, he maneuvered the airplane to look for an alternative landing site. He stated that the airplane was just above stall speed when he landed in soft wetlands adjacent to the runway. The airplane impacted in a normal attitude, but when the nose gear touched down it sheared off. The left wing impacted the soil and caused the airplane to spin about 180 degrees and come to rest upright. Damage to the airplane consisted of both wings, the nose gear and engine firewall.

Examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector found the fuel tanks full, with no contamination. The throttle, mixture, carburetor heat controls, and flight controls functioned normally. Engine continuity was established through to the accessory section when the propeller was rotated by hand.

At the time of takeoff, the air temperature was 31 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 23 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity 67 percent. According to the FAA's Icing Probability Curve, at the above temperature, dew point and humidity, the curve indicates visible icing at rated power for float type carburetors.

*This report was modified on May 20, 2008.*