# NTSB LAX92LA008: Grumman AA-5A, N9694U, Flagstaff, AZ, October 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1991, 16:17 local (23:17 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.230724, -111.720909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2307&lon=-111.7209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA008

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE APPROPRIATE AIRSPEED DURING THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vref) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CALCULATED TO BE IN EXCESS OF 9,800 FEET.  NUMEROUS GROUND WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, CLIMBED TO ABOUT 30 FEET ABOVE RUNWAY 21 AND FLEW ALONG ITS 7,000 FOOT LENGTH WITHOUT GAINING ANY ADDITIONAL ALTITUDE.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND IN THE SAME RELATIVE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE INTO THE GROUND ABOUT 100 YARDS BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  A POST CRASH FIRE STARTED AFTER THE IMPACT SEQUENCE AND CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT.  ALL OF THE WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING STRONG ENGINE SOUNDS DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE FROM THE TAKEOFF TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9694U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9694U-1991-11-15), registration cancelled 1991-11-15, S/N AA5A0060 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A-0060
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Madison L. Myers
- Registered owner: Gary L. Keck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1991, 4 hours before
- Destination: P52, COTTONWOOD, AZ
- Airport: FLG, Pullman, runway 21, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,532 total, 79 in this make and model, 1,430 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 1 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 19911005045069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911005045069A), Oct 5, 1991: Gulstm AA5A, Flagstaff, AZ, Destroyed. Observed in nose high climb. Stalled,crashed and burned. Pilot failed to compensate for density altitude in type.

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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