# Accident 20250423021249A: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5B, Zolfo Springs, FL, April 23, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 23, 2025, 10:00 local time
- Place: Zolfo Springs, FL
- Airport: Myakka Head
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 27.4556° N, 82.1050° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4556&lon=-82.1050&mi=10
- Aircraft: N28311, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28311-2025-11-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Grumman American Avn. AA-5B (registry code 3960105, https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 4,550 total, 18 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA25LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA184) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250423021249A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON APRIL 23,2025 A GRUMMAN AA-5B WAS DEPARTING A 3400FT GRASS RUNWAY AT BALD EAGLE AIRFIELD - MYAKKA HEAD 67FL IN ZOLFO SPRINGS FLORIDA. 3 PEOPLE WERE ON BOARD A PILOT, INSTRUCTOR AND PASSENGER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAKING OFF, THE ENGINE WAS AT FULL POWER BUT IT LIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY TOO SOON. DUE TO THE AIRCRAFT LOW SPEED, IT DESCENDED AND BOUNCED. WHEN THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE GROUND AGAIN, THE LEFT WITH STRUCK

THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE PIVOTED TO THE LEFT, DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, AND WENT INTO A DITCH

WHERE IT CAME TO REST. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, IMPACTED TREES, AND

A POST-CRASH FIRE ENSUED THAT DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA25LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA184), Apr 23, 2025: Grumman American Avn. AA-5B (N28311), Zolfo Springs, FL, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff. Contributing was the flight instructor’s lack of remedial action.

## Other reports on N28311 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19900412015299I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900412015299I), Apr 12, 1990: Gulstm AA5B (N28311), Jackson, MS, Minor damage. Nose gear axle broke on landing while making a touch and go. Damaged gear pant and tire.
- [Accident 19820902043429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820902043429A), Sep 2, 1982: Gulstm AA5B (N28311), Darlington, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot stated after touchdown wind shifted and he was unable to stop aircraft on remaining runway.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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