# NTSB DEN86LA003: Grumman AA-5A, N26207, Sawyer, ND, October 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1985, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Sawyer, ND
- Coordinates: 48.020339, -101.129051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0203&lon=-101.1291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA003

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DECREASE TO THE EXTENT OF ACTIVATING THE ACFT STALL WARNING SYSTEM ON FINAL APCH AT 100 FT ABOVE THE GROUND AND 200 FT FROM THE END OF THE RWY. HE CORRECTED THE LOW AIRSPEED CONDITION BY LOWERING THE NOSE, RESULTING IN A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. HE INITIATED AN EXCESSIVE NOSE HIGH LANDING FLARE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HIGH RATE OF DECENT, CAUSING THE ACFT TO STALL 10-15 FT ABOVE THE RWY. THE PLT CONTINUED THE LANDING WITH NO CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE RWY IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, BOUNCED 50-60 FT INTO THE AIR, CROSSED A DIRT ROAD AND LANDED IN A FLD WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BALE OF HAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26207](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26207-1989-09-01), registration cancelled 1989-09-01, S/N AA5A0472 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0472
- Airframe hours: 2449
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pietsch Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 15, 1985, 72 hours before
- Departed: MOT, MINOT, ND
- Airport: Pietsch Airstrip, runway 29, 2,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 32 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOT, 12 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 19851006056219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851006056219A), Oct 6, 1985: Gulstm AA5A, Sawyer, ND, Substantial damage. Stalled onto runway, bounced off runway and struck a large bale of hay. May have been distracted by sons tantrum.

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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