# NTSB CEN13CA515: Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, N5538B, Valparaiso, IN, August 25, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 25, 2013, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.453887, -87.006942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4539&lon=-87.0069&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA South Bend FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA515
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87913/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87913
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA515

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

## 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-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=3960103), [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.

- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=3960103), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had just bought the airplane and was not familiar with it. While making his first landing he made a steep approach, hit "hard", and bounced. After the second impact the airplane exited the runway and impacted terrain. The impact resulted in a complete separation of the nose gear and substantial damage to the fuselage, the right wing and the elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported that the accident was his fault and would not have happened if he had only first gotten a new aircraft check-out from a flight instructor.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he had just bought the airplane and was not familiar with it. While making his first landing he made a steep approach, hit "hard", and bounced. After the second impact the airplane exited the runway and impacted terrain. The impact resulted in a complete separation of the nose gear and substantial damage to the fuselage, the right wing and the elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported that the accident was his fault and would not have happened if he had only first gotten a new aircraft check-out from a flight instructor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5538B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5538B-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N AA1B-0339, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-1B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-1b) (registry code 3960103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1B-0339
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 2222
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C George Brockus
- Registered owner: C George Brockus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2013, 2 hours before
- Departed: VPZ, Valparaiso, IN
- Destination: VPZ, Valparaiso, IN
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County Regional Airport, runway 27, 7,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 82; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 380 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: KVPZ

## 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 20130825015509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130825015509A), Aug 25, 2013: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-1B, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Witnesses stated the aircraft made a steep approach and hit hard on landing, bounced and impacted the runway again, then went off the right side of runway.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87913. 1.4 MB in all.

- Record of conversations with the pilot and the FAA Inspector (item 1, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400328&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversations%20with%20the%20pilot%20and%20the%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404687&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.

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