# NTSB CEN16LA128: Grumman AA5, N9582L, Longview, TX, March 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 2016, 08:07 local (13:07 UTC) - Place: Longview, TX - Coordinates: 32.505001, -94.698333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5050&lon=-94.6983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA North Texas FSDO, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 92863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92863/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92863 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA128 ## Probable cause The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/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-5, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960104), [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-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low ceiling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 190 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated private pilot departed on a local flight in instrument meteorological conditions. A witness saw the airplane enter low overcast clouds immediately after takeoff. He heard the airplane begin a left turn, then saw the airplane emerge from the base of the overcast in a nose-down, steep left bank. The airplane subsequently reentered the clouds and the witness heard the impact a few minutes later. Evidence at the scene indicated that the airplane struck 40-ft tall trees and terrain, coming to rest inverted about 75 ft from the initial impact point. An examination of the airplane and its systems revealed no anomalies. Given that the pilot was not instrument-rated, it is likely that he experienced a loss of control of the airplane after entering instrument conditions. ## Factual narrative On March 18, 2016, about 0807 central daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5 single-engine airplane, N9582L, was substantially damaged after it impacted trees and terrain near East Side Airport (3TS0), Longview, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Low instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane departed 3TS0 at 0805 for a local flight. A witness saw the southeast bound airplane enter low overcast clouds immediately after takeoff. He heard the airplane begin a left turn and then saw the airplane emerge from the base of the overcast in a nose-down, steep left bank. The pilot recovered, and then the airplane reentered the clouds. The witness heard the impact a few minutes later. Evidence at the scene showed the airplane was northwest bound when it struck 40-foot tall trees and terrain, coming to rest inverted about 75 feet from the initial impact point. The impact resulted in the complete separation of the right wing and substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and left wing. An examination of the airplane and its systems revealed no anomalies. Weather observed at 0753 at East Texas Regional Airport (GGG), located 7 miles south of 3TS0, was as follows: Wind, 110° at 5 knots; visibility, 5 miles, mist; ceiling, 600 feet overcast,; temperature, 13° C.; dew point, 12°C.; altimeter setting, 29.86 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9582L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9582L-2018-04-04), registration cancelled 2018-04-04, S/N AA5-0582, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5 - Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5-0582 - Year built: 1974 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: 3TS0, Longview, TX - Destination: 3TS0, Longview, TX - Airport: 3TS0, East Side, runway 13, 2,400 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KGGG, 7 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 20160318004199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160318004199A), Mar 18, 2016: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5, Longview, TX, Destroyed. The aircraft departed runway 13 at East Side Airport. Poor visibility was encountered due to inadvertant flight from VFR to IFR conditions. Pilot made multiple… ## Other investigations on N9582L (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 MIA75FLT06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75FLT06), May 2, 1975: Grum Amer AA-5 (N9582L), Coldwater, MS, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92863. 960 KB in all. - Memorandum of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465868&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Report Photos (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 868 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465869&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20Photos-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.