# NTSB LAX84LA211: Grumman AA-5B, N74862, Carlsbad, CA, March 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1984, 16:27 local (Mar 10, 1984, 00:27 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.129676, -117.29914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1297&lon=-117.2991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA211

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - control interference - performed, passenger (cause)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 10 FT AGL & HE WAS BEGINNING TO FLARE FOR A LANDING ON RWY 24, A SLIGHT GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE PLANE TO DRIFT TO THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE PLT BEGAN CORRECTING FOR THE DRIFT, BUT THE PASSENGER GRABBED THE YOKE & PLACED HIS FEET FIRMLY ON THE RUDDER PEDALS. REPORTEDLY, THE PASSENGER 'FROZE ON THE CONTROLS.' THE PLT DIRECTED THE PASSENGER TO RELEASE THE CONTROLS & HIT HIM TWICE IN THE CHEST. AS THE ACFT CONTINUED TO VEER OFF COURSE, THE PASSENGER RELEASED THE CONTROLS, BUT BY THIS TIME, THE ACFT WAS HEADED TOWARD PARKED ACFT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME & DISTANCE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A CESSNA 182K, N2584F; A CESSNA 152, N24384; & A CESSNA 150, N63206. THE PASSENGER DID NOT REMEMBER GRABBING THE ACFT CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74862](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74862-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N AA5B0384, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B0384
- Airframe hours: 225
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clifton L. Portnoff, M.D.,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Airport: CRQ, Mcclelland-Palomar, runway 24, 4,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 285 total, 230 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ

## 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 19840309052679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840309052679A), Mar 9, 1984: Gulstm AA5B, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. Began drift off runway alignment on short final. Passenger panicked and froze on controls. Hit 3 parked aircraft.

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.