# NTSB GAA20CA066: American AA 5, N24AU, Gilbert, SC, November 2, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 2, 2019, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Gilbert, SC
- Coordinates: 33.884166, -81.381668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8842&lon=-81.3817&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100551/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100551
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA066

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper approach path, which resulted in impact with a tree.

## 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: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3960104), [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.

- [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane was low on final approach to land and struck a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. 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, the airplane was low on final approach and struck a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24AU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24AU), registered now, S/N AA5-0588, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Aviation AA 5 (Undesignat)
- 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: AA5-0588
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 4372.54
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2019
- Departed: CAE, Columbia, SC
- Destination: SC45, Gilbert, SC
- Airport: SC45, Gilbert Intl Airpark, runway 27, 3,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 7, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 2,157 total, 179 in this make and model, 2,012 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 9.6 in the last 30 days, 1.1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: KCAE, 14 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 20191102020789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191102020789A), Nov 2, 2019: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5, Gilbert, SC, Substantial damage. N24AU was on short final to Gilbert international airpark (SC45) and struck some trees prior to touching down. The impact damaged the leading edge and alerion…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100551. 681 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 509 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479300&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Damage Photo (item 3, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photo-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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