# NTSB LAX86FA038: Grumman American AA-5B, N28495, Gold Run, CA, November 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1985, 17:57 local (Nov 10, 1985, 01:57 UTC)
- Place: Gold Run, CA
- Coordinates: 39.139266, -120.85044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1393&lon=-120.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT LOCATION AND THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA. THE ACFT DEPARTED TRUCKEE-TAHOE ARPT (TRK) TO THE NORTHEAST IN MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS AT SUNSET. THE ACFT CONTINUED ON A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING FOR 18 MILES AND THEN TURNED TO A WESTERLY HEADING AND CONTINUED ON THIS HEADING UNTIL IT WAS ABOUT 8 MILES NORTH OF TRK. THE PLT THEN TURNED THE ACFT ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH A TREE AT THE 5000 MSL LEVEL. THE AUTOMATIC WEATHER OBSERVATION DISCLOSED RAIN EXISTED NEAR THE ACCIDENT AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE FLYING ALONG A RIDGE THAT TRAVERSES THE AIRPORT 8 MILES TO THE NORTH OF TRK IN AN EAST/WEST DIRECTION. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS AND/0R FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28495](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28495-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N AA5B0641, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN 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: AA5B0641
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David L. Perrin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TRK, TRUCKEE-TAHOE, CA
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 11 knots, gusting 28
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F

## 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 19851109056799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851109056799A), Nov 9, 1985: Gulstm AA5B, Gold Run, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into mountainous area at night with low clouds and visibility in snow showers. Impacted trees, then ground.

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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