# NTSB LAX80FA078: Grum Amer AA-5B, N78EM, Moraga, CA, April 9, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 9, 1980
- Place: Moraga, CA · MORAGA, CA
- Location: 37.8457° N, 122.1232° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Moraga, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8457&lon=-122.1232&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 2000
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FA078
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA078

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1378   80/4/9    MORAGA,CA           GRUM AMER AA-5B     CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 34, 200
        TIME - 0830                    N78EM               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 8 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CONCORD,CA                  SAN CARLOS,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 - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - PARTIAL BRIEFING BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE/RADIO, LIMITED BY PILOT ACTION
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  600
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          FOG                                                        4
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           160                                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- WX BRIEFING DID NOT INCLUDE ENROUTE CONDITIONS.RECOVERY DATE 4/10/80.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78EM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78EM-1985-12-09), registration cancelled 1985-12-09, S/N AA5B-0898 (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 19800409008659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800409008659A), Apr 9, 1980: Gulstm AA5B, Moraga, CA, Destroyed. Impacted near ridge-top, trying to fly VFR through hilly area with ridges obscured.

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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