# NTSB ATL90FA183: Grumman AA5B, N81099, Gallatin, TN, September 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1990, 02:43 local (07:43 UTC)
- Place: Gallatin, TN
- Coordinates: 36.369892, -86.44905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3699&lon=-86.4490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA183

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN THE INADVERTENT DESCENT INTO THE GROUND, AND HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION TO ANOTHER AIRPLANE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE FOG, DARK NIGHT, FATIGUE FROM LACK OF SLEEP, AND A LACK OF RECENT NIGHT LANDINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT & PAX HAD RETURNED TO THE HOME FIELD AFTER A LONG WORK DAY THAT BEGAN BEFORE 9 AM. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT FOG HAD COVERED THE NORTH THRESHOLD & THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE RWY FROM THE SW TO THE NE. ANOTHER ACFT WAS ALSO ARRIVING IN THE LANDING PATTERN. THE PILOT MADE 2 ABORTIVE ATTEMPTS TO LAND VISUALLY BECAUSE HE HAD POSITIONED THE ACFT TOO CLOSE TO THE RWY. THE LAST RADAR POSITION OF THE ACFT WAS A LEFT DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 17. THE ACFT IMPACTED EAST OF THE FIELD WHILE IN A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. FOG & LACK OF GROUND LIGHTS TO THE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT WERE REPORTED BY LOCAL WITNESSES. THE PILOT WAS PROBABLY TIRED, & DISTRACTED BY THE ADDITIONAL ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81099](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81099-1991-05-21), registration cancelled 1991-05-21, S/N AA5B0429 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-0429
- Airframe hours: 3501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Swanner, John
- Registered owner: Trans World Artist
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1989, 183 hours before
- Departed: ADH, ADA, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: runway 17, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,150 total, 332 in this make and model, 2,031 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 20 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 19900930043269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900930043269A), Sep 30, 1990: Gulstm AA5B, Gallatin, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control circling to land after several attempts in fog. Cartwheeled on impact.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.