# NTSB CEN12CA085: Grumman American AA-5A, N26067, Bulverde, TX, November 22, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 22, 2011, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Bulverde, TX
- Coordinates: 29.739166, -98.45111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7392&lon=-98.4511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82405/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82405
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA085

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper glidepath while on final approach.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [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-5A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot said that he was on a short final approach to land. The airspeed was between 70 and 75 knots indicated, and one-third flaps were extended. When he felt he was in a position to land, he retarded the throttle to idle. The airplane settled rapidly, and the pilot reapplied power. The airplane struck trees in a ravine 300 feet short of the runway. Both wings and the fuselage were buckled. The pilot said that if he had come in higher and faster, the accident most likely would not have occurred.

## Factual narrative

The pilot said he was on a short final approach to runway 34. The airspeed was between 70 and 75 knots indicated and one-third flaps were extended. When he felt he was in a position to land, he retarded the throttle to idle. The airplane settled rapidly and he reapplied power. The airplane struck trees in a ravine 300 feet short of the runway. Both wings and the fuselage were buckled. The pilot said if he had come in higher and faster, the accident most likely would not have occurred.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26067](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26067-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N AA5A0410, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A0410
- Airframe hours: 3914
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald W. Kirkwood
- Registered owner: Ronald W. Kirkwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 2011, 26 hours before
- Departed: KT41, La Porte, TX
- Destination: K1T8, Bulverde, TX
- Airport: K1T8, Bulverde Airpark, runway 34, 2,890 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 2, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 555 total, 410 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KSAT

## 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 20111122027909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111122027909A), Nov 22, 2011: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A, Bulverde, TX, Substantial damage. During landing approach to the runway, the aircraft contacted trees, rotated 180 degrees through trees and brush, and landed in a dry creek bed.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82405. 539 KB in all.

- Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 388 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Front view of airplane (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359539&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Left side of airplane (item 3, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Left%20side%20of%20airplane-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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