# NTSB LAX94LA258: Grumman AA-5B, N4553R, Apple Valley, CA, June 18, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1994, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.569732, -117.150131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5697&lon=-117.1501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA258

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed in the takeoff initial climb and the resultant inadvertent entry into a stall/mush condition.  High density altitude and downdraft conditions were factors in the accident.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT UTILIZING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE FROM A DIRT AIRSTRIP AT A DENSITY ALTITUDE COMPUTED AT 6,200 FEET. THE AIRSTRIP IS LOCATED AT 3,200 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND THEN SUDDENLY DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE AND AN EARTH COMPACTING MACHINE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT OR WINDSHEAR CONDITION.

## Factual narrative

On June 18, 1994, about 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5B, N4553R, crashed during takeoff from the Holiday Valley Ranch Airport, a private dirt airstrip about 7 miles east of Apple Valley, California.  The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Banning, California, when the accident occurred.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot and a passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that prior to departure he reviewed and planned a short field takeoff under high density altitude conditions.  After lift-off from runway 06, about 40 feet above the ground, the airplane entered a downdraft and/or windshear and the airplane descended to the ground.  The airplane then struck a fence and a large, earth compacting machine.  The airplane received damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4553R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4553R-1995-04-03), registration cancelled 1995-04-03, S/N AA5B1207 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream American AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5b) (registry code 3970106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1207
- Airframe hours: 813
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Neil Mc Lean
- Registered owner: Neil Mc Lean
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1993, 28 hours before
- Destination: BNG, BANNING, CA
- Airport: Holiday Valley Ranch, runway 6, 3,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 648 in this make and model, 630 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 93 °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 19940618015449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940618015449A), Jun 18, 1994: Gulstm AA5B, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Settled after takeoff from Private strip. Hit fence and compacting machine. Blamed a downdraft and density altitude

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.