# NTSB LAX84LA302: Grumman AA-5B, N74848, Ruth, CA, May 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1984, 17:00 local (May 20, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Ruth, CA
- Coordinates: 40.459011, -123.669837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4590&lon=-123.6698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA302

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON RWY 31, THE PLT ELECTED TO GO-AROUND. HE MADE A LOW PASS DOWN THE RWY, PULLED UP AT THE END OF THE RWY FOR A DOWNWIND ENTRY & BEGAN TO MUSH. THE ACFT HIT A TALL TREE & IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74848](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74848-1985-07-02), registration cancelled 1985-07-02, S/N AA5B0377 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0377
- Airframe hours: 1281
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1983, 61 hours before
- Airport: runway 31, 3,170 ×  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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,051 total, 786 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840520017739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840520017739A), May 20, 1984: Gulstm AA5B, Ruth, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with a tree when pilot made a low pass over airport.

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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