# NTSB CEN09CA568: Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, N9649U, Holland, MI, September 2, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 2, 2009, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Holland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.790554, -86.162498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7906&lon=-86.1625&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-GRR-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA568
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74674/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74674
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA568

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing and subsequent go-around.

## 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-1C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960100), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he touched down a little early on the 2,998-foot-long runway, and the airplane began to porpoise. He stated that he attempted a go-around but had insufficient airspeed to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane veered to the left of the runway where it settled into an area of trees and brush.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he touched down a little early on the 2,998-foot-long runway, and the airplane began to porpoise. He stated that he attempted a go-around but had insufficient airspeed to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane veered to the left of the runway where it settled into an area of trees and brush.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9649U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9649U-2017-06-15), registration cancelled 2017-06-15, S/N AA1C0086, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-1C
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1c) (registry code 3960100) (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: AA1C0086
- Airframe hours: 2606
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven Stam
- Registered owner: Steven Stam
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2009, 31 hours before
- Departed: HLM, Holland, MI
- Destination: HLM, Holland, MI
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: HLM, Holland Park Airport, runway 05, 2,998 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 22 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg

## 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 20090902048919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090902048919A), Sep 2, 2009: Grumman Ame AA-1C, Holland, MI, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that while landing on runway 05, during the flare/ touchdown the airplane began porpoising. While attempting to correct and make a rejected…

## Other investigations on N9649U (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI79DEP19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEP19), Dec 26, 1978: Grumman AA-1C (N9649U), Madison, WI, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74674. 893 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 893 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319419&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.

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