GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5A

Full Narrative

On February 17, 2025, about 2215 central standard time, a Grumman AA-5A airplane, N26071, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gladewater, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, the airplane engine lost partial power about 450 to 500 ft above ground level during the initial takeoff climb. The pilot immediately made a left turn back towards the airport and conducted a slow but controlled descent with the remining engine power. He chose to continue the turn and performed a forced landing to the grass next to the runway which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and empennage.
The pilot stated that he was ferrying the airplane to the Rusk County Airport (RFI) in Henderson, Texas, to have engine maintenance performed. The pilot further stated that the carburetor had been replaced about two weeks prior, and the airplane was experiencing a slight engine stumbling at full power and full mixture on subsequent flights.
Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor inlet rubber duct between the airbox and carburetor was puckered inward at both the airbox outlet and carburetor inlet. The puckering of the duct was observed to be partially blocking the carburetor venturi.

Figure 1. View through the carburetor.

The airplane was retained for further examination.