# NTSB ATL86FA002: Grumman American AA-5, N9629U, Hurricane, WV, October 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1985, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Hurricane, WV
- Coordinates: 38.430053, -82.009628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4301&lon=-82.0096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA002

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N9629U CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA NEAR HURRICANE, WEST VIRGINIA WHILE CONDUCTING A VISUAL FLIGHT FROM MILLWOOD, WV TO GRUNDY, VIRGINIA. THE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT WERE CERTIFICATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT FARS. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE LOWEST CONDITION REPORTED WAS 400 FOOT CEILING WITH SCATTERED CLOUDS IN WEST VIRGINIA. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURNED AFTER STRIKING THE GROUND. THE WRECKAGE SITE WAS SMALL AND THE SWATH THROUGH THE TREES WAS NARROW. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MATERIAL OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9629U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9629U-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N AA5-0829, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-0829
- Airframe hours: 1367
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-L2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred Norris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1985, 3 hours before
- Departed: RAVENSWEED, WV
- Destination: GRUNDY, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRW, 27 nm away

## 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 19851003053869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851003053869A), Oct 3, 1985: Gulstm AA5, Hurricane, WV, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew VFR into mountainous area with low ceiling and visibility. Struck trees on a cloud obscured mountain.

## Other investigations on N9629U (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 IAD79FIA14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79FIA14), Jul 8, 1979: Grum Amer AA-5 (N9629U), Warrenton, VA, substantial damage

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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