# NTSB BFO85FA009: Grumman AA-5A, N14LC, Manassas, VA, December 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1984, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7468° N, 77.4826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manassas, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7468&lon=-77.4826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11123
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11123/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER A HIGHER AND FASTER APCH THAN USUAL DUE TO CONFLICTING TRAFFIC, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE NOSEWHEEL AND BEGAN TO PORPOISE, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. AFTER THE SECOND BOUNCE, POWER WAS ADDED FOR A GO AROUND, THE PILOT LATER STATED. WITNESSES SAW THE NOSE PITCH UP AND THE LEFT WING DROP WITH AN ACCOMPANYING LEFT YAW CONCURRENT WITH THE ADDITION OF POWER. THE ROLL AND YAW CONTINUED UNTILGROUND CONTACT IN A LEFT WING LOW, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE ABOUT 50 FT LEFT OF THE RWY 16R PAVEMENT. THE STUDENT PILOT SOLOED TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD ACCUMULATED 25 TOTAL HOURS, BUT ONLY 10 IN THE AA-5A.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14LC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14LC-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N AA5A0554, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A-0554
- Airframe hours: 567
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon H. Cooper
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1984, 27 hours before
- Airport: W20, Manassas, runway 16, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 10 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: W10

## 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 19841217067429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841217067429A), Dec 17, 1984: Gulstm AA5A, Manassas, VA, Destroyed. Porpoised after touchdown on nose wheel. During attempted goaround, aircraft stalled and cartwheeled.

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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