September 22, 2007, Worthington, Ky., Grumman AA-5A

At about 1455 Eastern time, the airplane was ditched in the Ohio River. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot received fatal injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Earlier, before takeoff, the pilot added four quarts of oil to the engine. Upon arrival at a second airport, he noted an oil leak and discovered the vacuum pump he had installed earlier in the day was installed incorrectly, causing the oil leak. He corrected the discrepancy and added more oil to the engine. He then took the airplane for a test flight and returned. The pilot then attempted the flight home.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The pilot fatally ditched an airplane in the Ohio River following a flight attempt characterized by prior mechanical issues and ignored warnings.
Earlier, the pilot had addressed an oil leak caused by an incorrectly installed vacuum pump and added more oil.
Despite witnesses advising against flying due to engine overheating during the pre-takeoff run-up, the pilot departed, leading to the ditching.

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At about 1455 Eastern time, the airplane was ditched in the Ohio River. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot received fatal injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged.

Earlier, before takeoff, the pilot added four quarts of oil to the engine. Upon arrival at a second airport, he noted an oil leak and discovered the vacuum pump he had installed earlier in the day was installed incorrectly, causing the oil leak. He corrected the discrepancy and added more oil to the engine. He then took the airplane for a test flight and returned. The pilot then attempted the flight home.

During the ground run-up before takeoff, the engine overheated. Witnesses advised the pilot not to fly the airplane until the reason for the overheating was determined. The pilot said he would look into it and then departed. A witness saw the airplane ditch in a river in a flat attitude. The airplane floated for a moment, then nosed over and went completely underwater. The pilot was unable to exit the airplane after it submerged.