# NTSB ERA13LA041: Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, N26380, Fairhope, AL, October 26, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 2012, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Fairhope, AL
- Coordinates: 30.456111, -87.872779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4561&lon=-87.8728&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85446/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85446
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA041

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The Grumman pilot’s loss of directional control during landing for undetermined reasons because postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the Piper pilot positioning his airplane beyond the runway hold short line.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

Two airplanes, a Grumman and a Piper, were operating at a non-towered airport. The pilot of the Piper reported that he did not hear any airplane making position reports over the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency and subsequently taxied on a taxiway that was located about 1,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway and taxied past the hold short line toward the runway. The pilot of the Piper stopped his airplane about 75 feet short of the runway (and beyond the hold short line) when he noticed a Grumman that was on final approach. After touching down, about 500 feet beyond the runway threshold, the Grumman rolled another 300 to 400 feet before it suddenly veered left, and departed the side of the runway. The Grumman struck a taxiway sign before impacting the Piper, resulting in substantial damage to both airplanes. Postaccident examination of the Grumman revealed no discrepancies with the braking system; however, the left main landing gear tire was flat, and its inner tube displayed a small gash. It could not be determined if the damage to the tube occurred before or as a result of side-loading placed on it during the collision.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On October 26, 2012, about 1650 central daylight time, a Grumman American Aviation Corp. AA-5A, N26380, and a Piper PA-22, N2633A, were substantially during a ground collision at H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport (CQF), Fairhope, Alabama. The certificated commercial pilot of the Piper, and the certificated private pilot and the passenger aboard the Grumman were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for either of the personal flights, which were both conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot of the Grumman, he arrived at the airport around 1500 to begin the preflight inspection of the airplane, which included a visual inspection of the tires. About 1620, the pilot and the passenger departed for a local flight, and at the conclusion of the flight, returned to CQF from the east. About 3 to 4 miles from the airport, the pilot advised via radio that he would cross overhead of the airport and enter on the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for landing on runway 1. After entering the traffic pattern, the pilot observed the Piper on taxiway A2, and announced that he was turning onto the base, then final legs of the traffic pattern. The pilot of the Grumman stated that he did not hear transmissions from any other airplanes while in the traffic pattern, and noted that the Piper had remained stationary on the taxiway. The pilot of the Grumman stated that his airplane touched down about 500 feet down the runway, and rolled another 300 to 400 feet before it suddenly veered left. The pilot responded by applying the right toe brake, which momentarily corrected the airplane’s track, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway toward the Piper. The Grumman subsequently departed the runway south of taxiway A2, continued to turn left, and its left wing contacted the propeller of the Piper. The Grumman then pivoted to the left, and the propeller of the Grumman contacted the wing of the Piper. Upon exiting the airplane, the pilot of the Grumman noted that his airplane’s left tire appeared to be “flat.” According to the pilot of the Piper, following an uneventful preflight inspection and run up of the engine, he approached the runway from taxiway A2. After hearing no other traffic on the airport common traffic advisory frequency, the pilot of the Piper turned his airplane to gain an unobstructed view of the final approach path, and observed the Grumman as it was on final approach to the runway. He then stopped his airplane about 75 feet short of the runway edge in order to wait for the Grumman to land. The pilot watched as the Grumman landed, veered off the left side of the runway, struck a taxiway marker, and impacted the Piper. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined both airplanes following the accident and determined that each of them sustained substantial damage during the collision. The inspector further examined the brakesystem of the Grumman, and found that they appeared to operate normally, with neither brake displaying evidence of binding, uneven wear, or scoring. The flat left tire was removed from the wheel, and a small 1/4-inch gash was noted on the tire tube. No visible marks, debris, or puncture was noted anywhere on the tire. The area of the tire that covered the gash in the tube did appear to display some wrinkling. It could not be determined whether this damage occurred prior to or during the ground collision. The single asphalt runway at CQF was 6,604 feet long by 100 feet wide and was configured in a 1/19 orientation. A parallel taxiway spanning the full length of the runway was present on the west side of the runway. Taxiway A1 was located at the southernmost end of the runway, at the runway 1 approach threshold. Taxiway A2 intersected the runway about 1,000 feet beyond the runway threshold. The airport was not served by a local air traffic control tower. The weather conditions reported at CQF, at 1655, included winds from 320 degrees magnetic at 5 knots, clear skies, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 28 degrees Celsius (C), dewpoint 18 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N26380](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26380), registered now, S/N AA5A0404, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A0404
- Airframe hours: 4896
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2012
- Departed: CQF, Fairhope, AL
- Destination: CQF, Fairhope, AL
- Airport: CQF, H L Sonny Callahan Airport, runway 01, 6,604 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N2633A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2633A), registered now, S/N 22-905, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-905
- Airframe hours: 2829
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2012
- Departed: CQF, Fairhope, AL
- Destination: 16FL, Milton, FL
- Airport: CQF, H L Sonny Callahan Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N26380; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,286 total, 690 in this make and model, 992 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N2633A; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 28, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: CQF

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20121026023231A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121026023231A), Oct 26, 2012: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A, Fairhope, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot made normal approach and landing on runway 1. Approximately 200 feet into the rollout pilot reported that the aircraft began to veer to the left. Pilot…
- [Accident 20121026023221A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121026023221A), Oct 26, 2012: Piper PA-22, Fairhope, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot taxied out to runway 1 at taxiway A2. Pilot conducted runup and then pulled forward of the hold short line to have better visibility of final approach…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85446. 17.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Grumman Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 585 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Grumman%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Piper Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Piper%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Interview Summary - Grumman Pilot and Passenger (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary%20-%20Grumman%20Pilot%20and%20Passenger-Redacted.PDF
- Interview Summary - Piper Pilot (item 4, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary%20-%20Piper%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Airplanes after Accident (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplanes%20after%20Accident%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Close-up Photo of Damage to Grumman (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388230&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Close-up%20Photo%20of%20Damage%20to%20Grumman%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Tire Skid Marks and Struck Runway Sign (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Tire%20Skid%20Marks%20and%20Struck%20Runway%20Sign%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Gash on Left Main Tire Inner Tube (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Gash%20on%20Left%20Main%20Tire%20Inner%20Tube%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 9, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-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.

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