# NTSB CEN09CA279: American AA-1, N5905L, Cumberland, WI, May 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2009, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Cumberland, WI - Coordinates: 45.509998, -91.982498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5100&lon=-91.9825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73783/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73783 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff in crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American AA-1, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident occurred during a crosswind takeoff from a turf runway. He noted that the airplane encountered an intersecting asphalt runway with a height difference that tended to "launch" the airplane. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain control because of the crosswind. He attempted to continue the takeoff, ultimately continuing beyond the end of the runway, across a road and impacting a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The nose landing gear, right main landing gear and right flap were also damaged. The pilot reported a left 90-degree crosswind of about 10 knots at the time of the accident. He commented that additional flight instruction from an instructor familiar with the make and model airplane would have been helpful. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the accident occurred during a crosswind takeoff from a turf runway. He noted that the airplane encountered an intersecting asphalt runway with a height difference that tended to "launch" the airplane. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain control because of the crosswind. He attempted to continue the takeoff, ultimately continuing beyond the end of the runway, across a road and impacting a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The nose landing gear, right main landing gear and right flap were also damaged. The pilot reported a left 90-degree crosswind about 10 knots at the time of the accident. He commented that additional flight instruction from an instructor familiar with the make and model airplane would have been helpful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5905L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5905L-2011-08-11), registration cancelled 2011-08-11, S/N AA1-0205, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA-1 - Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1-0205 - Airframe hours: 1446 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 2009 - Departed: RZN, Siren, WI - Destination: SSQ, Shell Lake, WI - Airport: UBE, Cumberland Muni, runway 36, 2,000 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 130 total, 42 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: RPD, 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 20090503009839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090503009839A), May 3, 2009: Amrgen AA1, Cumberland, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 3, 2009 Mr. Winch, the pilot of N5905L attempted a crosswind takeoff and lost control of his aircraft. The aircraft came to rest in a corn field… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73783. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.