# NTSB FTW98LA123: Grumman American AA-5, N7117L, Conroe, TX, February 7, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1998, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Coordinates: 30.289739, -95.310325 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2897&lon=-95.3103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA123

## Probable cause

The pilot's delay in aborting the landing due to excessive airspeed during the approach.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed(vref) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The aircraft came in 'too hot' and touched down 'too far down' runway 35, therefore, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around the aircraft struck trees that were located near the departure end of the 2,900 foot runway.  The aircraft came to rest in the trees, upright in a nose down attitude.

## Factual narrative

On February 7, 1998, at 1400 central standard time, a Grumman American AA-5 airplane, N7117L, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged upon collision with trees during a go-around at Cut and Shoot Airport, near Conroe, Texas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and his passenger was not injured.  The flight originated from Cut and Shoot, Texas, earlier in the day and was returning from Lufkin, Texas.

The 3, 000 hour pilot reported in written statements provided to the NTSB, that the aircraft came in "too hot" and touched down "too far down" runway 35, therefore, he initiated a go-around.  During the go-around the aircraft struck pine trees that were located near the departure end of the 2,900 foot runway.  The aircraft came to rest in the trees, upright in a nose down attitude.

Examination of the aircraft wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that the right horizontal stabilizer was torn off and the left horizontal stabilizer was wrinkled and bent.  The left wing was torn and bent, and its fuel tank ruptured.  The right wing's leading edge was crushed aft about mid span.  The fuselage was wrinkled and displaced to the left.  The propeller blades exhibited "S" bending and chordwise striations.  Slash marks consistent with "propellers strikes" were found on a tree trunk located next to the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7117L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7117L-2012-04-25), registration cancelled 2012-04-25, S/N AA5-0417, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman American AA-5
- 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: AA5-0417
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clifton W. Parnell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LFK, LUFKIN, TX
- Destination: 1R9
- Airport: 1R9, Cut And Shoot, runway 35, 2,900 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 843 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19980207006199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980207006199A), Feb 7, 1998: Gulstm AA5, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft came in 'too hot' and touched down 'too FAR down' runway 35, therefore, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around the aircraft struck…

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.