# NTSB ATL05CA067: Aviat A1A, N119WP, Alexander City, AL, March 29, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2005, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Alexander City, AL
- Coordinates: 32.908889, -85.957778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9089&lon=-85.9578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Birmingham FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA067

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during the completion of a local flight, he approached Lake Martin to set up for a water landing. As the pilot turned base to final he heard the stall warning horn as he banked the airplane. The pilot added power, and leveled the wings, in an attempt to arrest the stall. However,  the airplane did not respond, and collided with the water. No flight control or mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot. Examination of the airplane revealed buckling in the upper cabin area, and leading edge crush damage on both wing assemblies.

## Factual narrative

On March 29, 2005, at 1000 central standard time, a Aviat A-1A, N119WP, registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with water during a water landing near Alexander City, Alabama. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Lake Martin, Alabama on March 29, 2005 at 0930.

According to the pilot, during the completion of a local flight, he approached Lake Martin to set up for a water landing. As the pilot turned base to final he heard the stall warning horn as he banked the airplane. The pilot added power, and leveled the wings, in an attempt to arrest the stall. However,  the airplane did not respond, and collided with the water. No flight control or mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot. Examination of the airplane revealed buckling in the upper cabin area, and leading edge crush damage on both wing assemblies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N119WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N119WP), registered now, S/N 1425 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A1A
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1a) (registry code 2210405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1425
- Airframe hours: 500
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene Gwaltney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2004, 457 hours before
- Departed: ALX, Alexader City, AL
- Destination: Alexander City, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,450 total, 85 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: ALX

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20050329004799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050329004799A), Mar 29, 2005: Aviat A1A, Alexander City, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) While attempting to land on lake martin, Alexander City, AL. Pilot stalled the aircraft and made hard landing on water causing the floats to separate…

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.

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