# NTSB ATL98LA027: American AA-1, N5789L, Monticello, FL, December 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 19, 1997, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Monticello, FL - Coordinates: 30.540245, -83.869537 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5402&lon=-83.8695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3956 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3956/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA027 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and failure to ensure that the airplane would be able to clear trees during takeoff. Related factors were: the high/wet vegetation on the grass runway, and the proximity of trees to the runway. ## Analysis The pilot stated that he taxied to the end of the 2,000 foot long runway, and performed a run-up. During takeoff, he advanced the throttle full forward and began the takeoff roll. The aircraft accelerated and lifted off into ground effect. The pilot said he flew in ground effect, but the aircraft did not accelerate and climb as expected. At the end of the runway, he pulled up, but the airplane stalled (mushed) into trees. According to the pilot, he believed the accident could have been avoided if he had departed from an airport with a longer runway. According to an FAA inspector, the pilot attempted to takeoff from a strip covered with wet grass that was 7 to 8 inches tall. The Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) showed that a takeoff distance of 1615 feet was needed to clear a 50 foot obstacle during takeoff from a hard surfaced runway, at maximum gross weight, with flaps up, wind zero, and sea level conditions. There was no chart for takeoff performance from a grass strip. ## Factual narrative On December 19, 1997, about 1415 eastern standard time, an American AA-1, N5789L, collided with trees shortly after takeoff from the Hidden Acres Airport, in Monticello, Florida. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured, and the airplane was destroyed by impact and post crash fire. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he taxied to the end of the runway, and performed a run-up. He fire-walled the throttle and began the takeoff roll. The aircraft accelerated and lifted off into ground effect. He said he flew in ground effect, but the aircraft did not accelerate and climb as expected. He said that he pulled up and stalled into trees at the end of the runway. According to the pilot, he believed the accident could have been avoided if he departed from an airport with a longer runway, allowing the pilot more room to operate. According to the FAA Inspector, the pilot attempted to takeoff on a 2000 foot strip covered with 7 to 8 inch tall wet grass. The Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) showed a takeoff distance from a hard surfaced runway over a 50 foot obstacle, at maximum gross weight, with flaps up, wind zero, and sea level conditions was 1615 feet. There is no chart for takeoff performance from a grass strip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, other ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5789L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5789L-1998-09-12), registration cancelled 1998-09-12, S/N AA10189 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American AA-1 - Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0189 - Airframe hours: 980 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David W. Johnson - Registered owner: David Saunders/David Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1997, 30 hours before - Departed: PVT - Airport: FD01, Hidden Acres, runway 32, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TLH, 25 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 19971219039229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971219039229A), Dec 19, 1997: Gulstm AA1, Monticello, FL, Destroyed. Tried takeoff from tallgrass short strip. Stalled into trees off end runway. Burned. (-23) pilot stated that he had a normal pre-flight, normal run-up, good… 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.