# NTSB ATL82FLJ07: Grumman American AA-1B, N8870L, Gatesville, NC, July 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1982, 20:20 local (Jul 18, 1982, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Gatesville, NC
- Location: 36.4071° N, 76.7569° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gatesville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4071&lon=-76.7569&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLJ07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLJ07

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE PILOT ADDED 1/3 FLAPS AND ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES. HE REPORTED THAT WHEN HE WAS ON SHORT FINAL, HE WAS DISTRACTED BY SEVERAL DEER THAT WERE APPROACHING THE TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE PILOT THEORIZED THAT THROUGH REFLEX ACTION, HE MUST HAVE APPLIED AFT YOKE WHICH DECREASED HIS AIRSPEED AND INCREASED HIS RATE OF DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDE WITH TWO POWER LINES. THE POWER LINES FAILED AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8870L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-1B (AMERICAN A)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0870
- Airframe hours: 2382
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John M. Winesette
- Registered owner: John M. Winesette
- Departed: GATESVILLE, NC
- Destination: GATESVILLE, NC
- Airport: runway 9, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 280 total, 4 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 185 °F

## 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 19820717030509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820717030509A), Jul 17, 1982: Gulstm AA1B, Gatesville, NC, Substantial damage. Distracted by deer on runway, allowed high sink rate on final. Struck wires and crashed short of runway.

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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