# NTSB BFO91LA045: Grumman AA5B, N20NA, College Park, MD, April 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1991, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: College Park, MD
- Coordinates: 38.990898, -76.929618 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9909&lon=-76.9296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  RELATED FACTORS WERE: HYDROPLANING CONDITIONS ON THE WET RUNWAY AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A LOCAL FLIGHT WHEN HE NOTICED A THUNDERSTORM APPROACHING.  HE HEADED BACK TO THE AIRPORT WHERE IT WAS RAINING AND THE VISIBILITY HAD LOWERED.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE LANDED ON RUNWAY 15, BUT WHEN HE APPLIED BRAKES THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN HYDROPLANING AND HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A RAVINE 400 FEET BEYOND THE RUNWAY END.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20NA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20NA), registered now, S/N AA5B-0560, built 1977 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-0560
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Navsea Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Norman Griest
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1990
- Destination: CGS
- Airport: CGS, College Park, runway 15, 2,600 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 422 total, 16 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 10 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 19910428012859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910428012859A), Apr 28, 1991: Gulstm AA5B, College Park, MD, Substantial damage. Saw thunderstorm approaching after takeoff. Returned but overran wet runway due hydroplaning. Raining on takeoff.

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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