# NTSB LAX87LA237: Grumman AA-5, N5438L, Rimrock, AZ, June 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1987, 17:17 local (Jun 19, 1987, 00:17 UTC)
- Place: Rimrock, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.680675, -111.699829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6807&lon=-111.6998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25612
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25612/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA237

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT OVERRAN THE RUNWAY WHILE ON A PERSONAL VFR CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND AFTER A POOR APPROACH AND THAT THE TERRAIN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY ROSE FASTER THAN THE AIRCRAFT COULD CLIMB. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TOUCH DOWN ON THE LAST 400 FEET OF THE RUNWAY AND THEN ROLL OFF THE DEPARTURE END. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 6,700 FEET MSL AND WINDS WERE REPORTED AS 230 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5438L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0338
- Airframe hours: 1725
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry C. Opie
- Registered owner: Opie, Henry C.
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1987, 30 hours before
- Departed: LHV, LAKE HAVASU CTY, AZ
- Destination: E76
- Airport: E76, Rimrock, runway 5, 2,184 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,950 total, 171 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °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 19870618020939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870618020939A), Jun 18, 1987: Gulstm AA5, Rimrock, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed long with tailwind. Delayed go around. Collided with ground. Terrain rose faster than airplane on go around.

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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