# Accident 20260905012879A: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5, Fresno, CA, September 5, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 5, 2026, 13:44 local time
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Airport: Sierra Sky Park
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.8443° N, 119.8746° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8443&lon=-119.8746&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6510L, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6510L) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Grumman American Avn. AA-5 (registry code 3960104, https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 4
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot, sport pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 1,550 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26FA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA329) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260905012879A

## Narrative

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

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2026, AT APPROXIMATELY 1345 PDT, GRUMMAN AA-5 ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT DURING TAKEOFF FROM SIERRA SKY PARK (E79), FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED.

WITNESS STATEMENTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTING IN A HIGH ANGLE-OF-ATTACK ATTITUDE AND BEGINNING TO OSCILLATE SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. THE AIRCRAFT THEN LOST ALTITUDE, STALLED NEAR THE END OF THE TAKEOFF PHASE, STRUCK TREES, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 600 FEET BEYOND THE RUNWAY END. A POST-CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT.

BEFORE DEPARTURE, THE PILOT WAS TROUBLESHOOTING RADIO COMMUNICATION ISSUES AND REPORTED A SIGNIFICANT RPM DROP ON THE LEFT MAGNETO TO THE AIRCRAFT OWNER BY TEXT MESSAGE.

THE PILOT HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO DEPART FOR NEARLY AN HOUR, HAD EXPERIENCED BOTH RADIO AND ENGINE-RELATED DISCREPANCIES, AND ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT WITH A FULL FUEL LOAD AND FOUR PERSONS ON BOARD. WEATHER AND RUNWAY CONDITIONS WERE NOT FACTORS.

THE INVESTIGATION REMAINS ONGOING.

## 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 WPR26FA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA329), Sep 5, 2026: Grumman American Avn. AA-5 (N6510L), Fresno, CA, destroyed, 4 fatal, investigation ongoing

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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