# NTSB LAX85FA071: Grumman American AA-5A, N26131, Gorman, CA, December 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1984, 18:21 local (Dec 13, 1984, 02:21 UTC)
- Place: Gorman, CA
- Coordinates: 34.719261, -118.150657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7193&lon=-118.1507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA071

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A NIGHT X-COUNTRY FLT. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. ON 12/12/84, THE PLANE WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD IMPACTED AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN WHILE APPROACHING THE TEHACHAPI MOUNTAINS. IMPACT OCCURRED ON A RELATIVELY FLAT AREA AT AN ELEVATION OF 4250 FT WHILE THE ACFT WAS IN A WINGS LEVEL, TAIL LOW ATTITUDE & ON A HEADING OF 336 DEG. FROM 1/2 TO 2 MI WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, THE TERRAIN ROSE RAPIDLY TO 6700 FT. THE AREA WINDS ALOFT AT 9000 & 12,000 FT WERE FORECAST TO BE FROM 333 DEG AT 45 KTS & 320 DEG AT 54 KTS, RESPECTIVELY. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26131](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26131-2012-09-19), registration cancelled 2012-09-19, S/N AA5A0448, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0448
- Airframe hours: 509
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E26 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Capt. Steven A. Fris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: YUM, YUMA, AZ
- Destination: NLC, LEMOORE NAS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,896 total, 117 in this make and model, 1,572 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 24 nm away

## 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 19841212066799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841212066799A), Dec 12, 1984: Gulstm AA5A, Gorman, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tail low level wings at high speed impact on a plateau. Rising terrain in direction of flight. No ground lights.

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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