# NTSB CEN09CA298: Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, N225BC, Midland, TX, May 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2009, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX - Coordinates: 32.036388, -102.101112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0364&lon=-102.1011&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73836/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73836 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA298 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## 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: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=3960105), [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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll the airplane swerved left of the runway's centerline. The solo student pilot, who had obtained 16 total flight hours, corrected back to the runway's center before the airplane swerved to the left again. Electing to abort the takeoff, the student pilot closed the engine throttle and began to apply the brakes. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway and momentarily became airborne. Once back on the ground, the airplane's left wing tip impacted the airport perimeter fence and subsequently the airplane came to rest in an upright position. The student pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the left wing. The student pilot later reported that there were no malfunctions or failures with the airplane's controls. ## Factual narrative During the takeoff roll the airplane swerved left of the runway's centerline. The solo student pilot, who had obtained 16 total flight hours, corrected back to runway's center before the airplane swerved to the left again. Electing to abort the takeoff, the student pilot closed the engine throttle and began to apply the brakes. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway and momentarily became airborne. Once back on the ground, the airplane's left wing tip impacted the airport perimeter fence and subsequently the airplane came to rest in an upright position. The student pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the left wing. The student pilot later reported that there were no malfunctions or failures with the airplane's controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N225BC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N225BC), registered now, S/N AA5B0464, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B - 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: AA5B0464 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Permian Volo Inc - Registered owner: Permian Volo Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2009 - Departed: MDD, Midland, TX - Destination: MDD, Midland, TX - Airport: MDD, Midland Airpark, runway 07, 5,022 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 9 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F ## 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 20090514006659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090514006659A), May 14, 2009: Amrgen AA5B, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. On may 14, 2009, at approximately 1400 local time, the student pilot operating N225BC, Grumman aircraft model AA-5B, attempted a takeoff on runway 7 at Midland… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73836. 578 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.