# NTSB ATL91LA003: Grumman AA-5A, N7103L, Lexington, NC, October 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1990, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Lexington, NC
- Coordinates: 35.800785, -80.250297 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8008&lon=-80.2503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA003

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ESTABLISH AN APPROACH PROFILE WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED HIM TO MAKE A SAFE LANDING ON THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED THROUGHOUT THE APPROACH. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE COLLISION WITH THE RAILROAD BERM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING A FULL-STOP LANDING. THE PILOT SAID THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND LANDING ATTEMPT. ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, HE WAS TOO HIGH AND FAST FOR A SAFE LANDING. DURING THE NEXT APPROACH THE CARBURETOR HEAT LEVER WAS PLACED IN THE ON POSITION FOR THE LANDING. WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE WAS AGAIN TOO HIGH AND FAST, HE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. BUT THERE WAS NOT AN INSTANT POWER RESPONSE WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS ADVANCED. THE PILOT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE LANDING ATTEMPT. THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 8 AND COLLIDED WITH A RAILROAD EMBANKMENT; THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED.  .

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7103L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7103L-2017-07-18), registration cancelled 2017-07-18, S/N AA5-0403, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5A
- 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: AA5-0403
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Adkins, David
- Departed: RUQ, SALISBURY, NC
- Airport: EXX, Lexington Muni, runway 8, 3,300 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 250 total, 6 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GSO, 30 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 19901014045839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901014045839A), Oct 14, 1990: Gulstm AA5, Lexington, NC, Substantial damage. Too high and fast. Went around porpoised on landing and ran off end runway. Collided with railroad embankment.

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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