# NTSB ERA09CA118: Grumman American Avn. AA-5, N7138L, Brunswick, GA, December 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 31, 2008, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Brunswick, GA - Coordinates: 31.258611, -81.466392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2586&lon=-81.4664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73169/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing flare. Contributing to the accident were the gusting winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/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) ## 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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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, 10,152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While landing, the pilot approached the runway in a "crab" and with the right wing down, into the wind. The pilot stated that a "strong gust" of wind pushed the right wing toward the ground as the main gear touched down in a nose-up attitude. The airplane became airborne; the pilot decided to initiate a go-around and applied full power. As the airplane gained altitude, another gust of wind rolled the airplane to the right. The pilot applied full ailerons and rudder authority to level the wings, then realized the airplane was headed towards trees that it would be unable to clear. The pilot then pulled the throttle to idle and flared the airplane into a stall as the airplane descended into the trees. The wind at the time of the accident was 40 degrees right of the airplane's nose at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative While landing, the pilot of a Grumman AA-5 approached the runway in a "crab" and with the right wing down, into the wind. The pilot stated that a "strong gust" of wind pushed the right wing toward the ground, as the main gear touched down in a nose-up attitude. The airplane became airborne; the pilot decided to initiate a go-around, and applied full power. As the airplane gained altitude, another gust of wind rolled the airplane to the right. The pilot utilized full ailerons and rudder authority to level the wings, then realized the airplane was headed towards trees that it would be unable to clear. The pilot pulled the throttle to idle and flared the airplane into a stall as the airplane descended into trees. The wind at the time of the accident was 40-degrees right of the airplane's nose at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7138L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7138L-2013-11-21), registration cancelled 2013-11-21, S/N AA5-0638, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5 (Traveler) - 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: AA5-0638 - Airframe hours: 4168.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2008 - Departed: ILM, Wilmington, NC - Destination: BQK, Brunswick, GA - Airport: BQK, Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, runway 25, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 148 total, 141 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: BQK 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.