# NTSB LAX96LA305: American AA-1, N5616L, Rosamond, CA, August 12, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1996, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Rosamond, CA
- Coordinates: 34.869659, -118.339012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8697&lon=-118.3390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29535
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29535/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA305

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his delayed decision to reverse the airplane's direction.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said that he was attempting to cross a high altitude mountain pass, but the airplane's climb capability was diminished due to the prevailing high density altitude.  The pilot reversed the direction to begin a circling climb, but the airplane struck a tree.  A nearby resident found the pilot and wreckage about 30 hours after the accident.  The pilot said that the airplane's engine operated normally and that the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunctions or failures.

## Factual narrative

On August 12, 1996, about 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, an American AA-1, N5616L, crashed in a mountainous area near Rosamond, California.  The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules personal flight to Grants Pass, Oregon.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, was destroyed.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.  The flight departed William J. Fox Airport, Lancaster, California, about 1045 hours.

A deputy sheriff reported that a resident near the accident site found the airplane on August 13, 1996, at 1745 hours.

The pilot said in a telephone interview conducted on August 15, 1996, that he topped off the fuel tanks before departing William J. Fox Airport.  He said that the airplane would not clear the mountain pass near Rosamond due to the high density altitude.  After realizing that the airplane would not negotiate the mountain pass, he began to circle to gain additional altitude, but the airplane struck a tree.  The pilot said that the engine operated normally.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5616L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5616L-1997-03-24), registration cancelled 1997-03-24, S/N AA10018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American AA-1
- Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1-0018
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leon M. Mulkey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Destination: 3S8, GRANTS PASS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 30 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 19960812022539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960812022539A), Aug 12, 1996: Gulstm AA1, Rosamond, CA, Destroyed. Struck a tree on mountainside circling to climb to negoiate a pass. Density altitude a factor. Circling too low.

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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