# NTSB GAA17CA241: American AA 1, N5690L, New Market, VA, April 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2017, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: New Market, VA - Coordinates: 38.657222, -78.708885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6572&lon=-78.7089&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95045 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95045/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95045 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA241 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in an impact with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [American AA-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Altitude deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282); cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American AA-1, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during approach, the sun was in his eyes and "unexpectedly the stall warning briefly sounded." He said that he added power and saw tree branches off the right wing. The airplane struck the trees on the north side of the runway, descended in a clockwise spin, and impacted the ground. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during approach the sun was in his eyes and "unexpectedly the stall warning briefly sounded". He added that he added power and saw tree branches off the right wing. The airplane struck the trees on the north side of the runway, descended in a clockwise spin, and impacted the ground. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5690L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5690L-2019-10-07), registration cancelled 2019-10-07, S/N AA1-0090, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA 1 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1-0090 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 2080 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2016 - Departed: 8W2, New Market, VA - Destination: 8W2, New Market, VA - Airport: 8W2, New Market - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 5,000 total, 850 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KSHD, 25 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 20170409005609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170409005609A), Apr 9, 2017: American AA-1, New Market, VA, Destroyed. On April 9, 2017 at approximately 1530, the pilot of an American AA-1 aircraft was making approach to land at New Market Airport, 8W2. The aircraft was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95045. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 832 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.