# NTSB ERA13CA090: American AA-5, N5813L, Hot Springs, VA, December 20, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 20, 2012, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Hot Springs, VA - Coordinates: 37.950832, -79.83361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9508&lon=-79.8336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85830/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85830 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA090 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while attempting to land in crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [American AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0631410), [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: [American AA-5, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0631410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane experienced light turbulence during the final approach to runway 7, and the wind sock indicated a direct crosswind from the right. The airplane touched down on the runway, bounced, and the pilot added engine power. As the power increased, the pitch of the airplane increased, and the pilot attempted to level the airplane. The stall warning horn sounded, the right wing of the airplane lifted, and the airplane turned about 45 degrees off the runway centerline. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground near a taxiway off the left side of the runway, and struck several trees before coming to rest, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident was from 140 degrees at 8 knots gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the airplane experienced light turbulence during the final approach to runway 7 and the wind sock indicated a direct crosswind from the right. The airplane touched down on the runway, bounced, and the pilot added engine power. As the power increased, the attitude of the airplane increased, and the pilot attempted to level the airplane. Then, the stall warning horn sounded, the right wing of the airplane lifted, and the airplane turned about 45 degrees off the runway centerline. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground near a taxiway off the left side of the runway, and struck several trees prior to coming to rest, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident was from 140 degrees at 8 knots gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5813L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5813L-2018-02-16), registration cancelled 2018-02-16, S/N AA5-0013, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA-5 - Registry model: [American AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-5) (registry code 0631410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5-0013 - Airframe hours: 3126 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: All Aviation West Coast Inc - Registered owner: All Aviation West Coast Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2012, 20 hours before - Departed: W99, Petersburg, WV - Destination: HSP, Hot Springs, VA - Airport: HSP, Ingalls Field Airport, runway 07, 3,200 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 253 total, 20 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HSP ## 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 20121220027689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121220027689A), Dec 20, 2012: American AA-5, Hot Springs, VA, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted], PIC of N5813L, American AA-5, was landing on runway 7. Winds were 140-170 at 12 knots gusting to 20 as reported by the airport. Upon… ## Other investigations on N5813L (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 NYC73DFJ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DFJ12), Oct 8, 1972: Amer Avco AA-5 (N5813L), Montour Falls, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85830. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 552 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385275&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - HSP Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=HSP%20Weather%20Observations-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.