# NTSB LAX78FA015: Grum Amer AA-5B, N74787, Desert Hot Spg, CA, December 25, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 25, 1977
- Place: Desert Hot Spg, CA · DESERT HOT SPG, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 21, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FA015
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA015

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4197  77/12/25 NR.DESERT HOT SPG,CA  GRUM AMER AA-5B     CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 31, 250
        TIME - 2007                    N74787              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 25 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BANNING,CA                  BERMUDA DUNES,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST/LOWER SCATTERED                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          ZERO                                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       55
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           90                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DESCENDED OUT OF VFR CONDITIONS INTO WX.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74787](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74787-1981-12-17), registration cancelled 1981-12-17, S/N AA5B0360 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUM AMER AA-5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19771225042989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771225042989A), Dec 25, 1977: Grumav AA5B, Desert Hot Spg, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Non-instrument rated pilot descended out of VFR conditions into wx.

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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