# NTSB GAA17CA379: American General Acft AG5, N321MW, Rio Vista, CA, July 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2017, 17:00 local (Jul 3, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Rio Vista, CA - Coordinates: 38.193889, -121.700836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1939&lon=-121.7008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95487 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA379 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95487/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95487 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA379 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a go-around in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, during his second low approach, the airplane was stable at 75 knots and full flaps and about 20 ft above ground level (agl). He added, that about 5 to 10 ft agl, he applied full power and began to "slowly" retract the flaps. Encountering what he described as "wind shear," he reported that the airplane became "vertical" and that he lost directional control. He added that he immediately banked to the right and applied full right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane's left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest off the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported checking the airport's automated weather observation system, which was reporting wind from 120° at 12 knots, before the approach. He further reported the sky condition as clear, temperature 84°F, dewpoint 53°F, and wind gusts to 20 knots. The pilot selected runway 15. As a recommendation, the student pilot reported that he should have avoided areas with gusts greater than 10 knots. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that, during his second low approach, the airplane was stable at 75 knots and full flaps, about 20 ft. above the ground. He added, that about 5 to 10 ft. above the ground, he applied full power and began to "slowly" retract the flaps. Encountering what he described as "wind shear," he reported that, the airplane became "vertical" and he lost directional control. He added that, he immediately banked to the right and applied full right rudder, subsequently, the airplane's left wing struck the ground. The airplane came to rest off the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported checking the airport's automated weather observation system (AWOS), which was reporting wind from 120° at 12 knots, prior to the approach. He further reported the sky condition as clear, temperature 84°F, dewpoint 53°F, and wind gusts to 20 knots. The pilot selected runway 15. As a recommendation, the student pilot reported that he should have avoided areas with gusts greater than 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N321MW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N321MW-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 10105, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN GENERAL ACFT CORP AG5 (B) - Registry model: [American General Acft AG5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-general-acft-ag5b) (registry code 3990100) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10105 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 1880 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA - Destination: O88, Rio Vista, CA - Airport: O88, Rio Vista Muni, runway 15, 2,199 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review June 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 210 total, 162 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KSUU, 12 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 20170702024059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170702024059A), Jul 2, 2017: American General Acft Corp AG5B, Rio Vista, CA, Substantial damage. On 7/2/17 N321MW lost control on a go around and crashed at the Rio Vista airport. The pilot was not injured but the plane sustained substantial damage. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95487. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 420 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455782&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.