# NTSB LAX08CA125: Grumman AA-5A, N9720U, Atlanta, ID, May 4, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 4, 2008, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, ID - Coordinates: 43.81361, -115.135002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8136&lon=-115.1350&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67938/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff to clear trees during the initial climb. Contributing factors were the soft and rough nature of the short runway surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area length](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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-5A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md?model=3960106), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that both he and the passenger walked the runway and removed debris from it, including sticks and rocks, prior to takeoff. The runway had softened due to snow and water runoff and the pilot said he experienced slight sinking conditions, but it was not muddy or sloppy. The pilot elected to depart to the south in order to takeoff on a downhill slope. The pilot performed a soft field takeoff by pulling the yoke back to reduce friction from the nose wheel. About 40 miles per hour (mph), the airplane hit several ruts and slowed down. He initiated rotation at 60 mph, but could not gain sufficient altitude prior to hitting a tree at the departure end of the runway, causing substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that both he and the passenger walked the runway and removed debris from it, including sticks and rocks, prior to takeoff. The runway had softened due to snow and water runoff and the pilot said he experienced slight sinking conditions, but it was not muddy or sloppy. The pilot elected to depart to the south in order to takeoff on a downhill slope. The pilot performed a soft field takeoff by pulling the yoke back to reduce friction from the nose wheel. About 40 miles per hour (mph), the airplane hit several ruts and slowed down. He initiated rotation at 60 mph, but could not gain sufficient altitude prior to hitting a tree at the departure end of the runway, causing substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9720U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9720U-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N AA5A-0120, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman 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: AA5A--0120 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tony L Nicholls - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2008 - Departed: Atlanta, ID - Destination: Unknown - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 55H, Atlanta, runway 16, 2,460 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 270 total, 230 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 25 °F - Observed at: MWAG ## 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 20080504834359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080504834359A), May 4, 2008: Amrgen AA5A, Atlanta, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot landed at the Atlanta Airport at 11:00 am when the field was frozen by the night time cold temperatures. He walked the runway before departure and… 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.