# NTSB BFO91LA065: Grumman AA-5, N1615R, Clarksville, MD, July 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1991, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Clarksville, MD
- Coordinates: 39.200012, -76.940963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2000&lon=-76.9410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA065

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND FAILURE TO ARREST HIS DESCENT RATE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS PRACTICING A SHORT FIELD LANDING TO RUNWAY 31. HE STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE AND GUSTING TO 10 KNOTS. WHILE ON APPROACH FROM AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 150 FEET (AGL), THE PILOT INITIATED A FORWARD SLIP TO THE LEFT AND DEVELOPED A 500 FT/MIN RATE OF DESCENT, WHILE MAINTAINING SHORT FIELD APPROACH SPEED. RECOVERY FROM THE SLIP WAS INITIATED AT ABOUT 50 FEET AGL AND AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO ARREST THE SINK

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1615R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1615R-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N AA5-0715, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5
- 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: 715
- Airframe hours: 1658
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E26 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter F. Bythrow
- Registered owner: Peter F. Bythrow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1990, 85 hours before
- Departed: W54, CARROL COUNTRY, MD
- Airport: MD24, Haysfield, runway 31, 2,100 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,119 total, 425 in this make and model, 1,565 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 15 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 19910706062319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910706062319A), Jul 6, 1991: Gulstm AA5A, Clarksville, MD, Substantial damage. Slipped on final for short field landing. Failed recover from sink rate. Struck raised lip of runway threshold.

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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