# NTSB LAX80DUJ31: Grumman AA-5B, N28709, Flagstaff, AZ, October 16, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 16, 1979
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ · FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Location: 35.1981° N, 111.6513° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Flagstaff, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1981&lon=-111.6513&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DUJ31
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUJ31

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3735  79/10/16 NR.FLAGSTAFF,AZ       GRUMMAN AA-5B       CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 8600
        TIME - 1605                    N28709              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 100 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PHOENIX,AZ                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      57
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          240                                                       7
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT STATED ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS & MADE UNPLANNED LNDG IN MEADOW SURROUNDED BY TREES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N28709 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- 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 19791016037349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791016037349A), Oct 16, 1979: Gulstm AA5B, Flagstaff, AZ, Destroyed. Aircraft hit downdraft during a low altitude photo flight. Forced to land in meadow. Hit tree.

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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