# NTSB LAX97LA236: Grumman American AA-5B, N28299, Susanville, CA, July 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1997, 12:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Susanville, CA - Coordinates: 40.570713, -120.610961 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5707&lon=-120.6110&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29831 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29831/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA236 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadvertent encounter with unfavorable weather conditions during the landing, and his failure to maintain runway alignment. The sudden onset of crosswind gusts beyond the capability of the aircraft was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot flew over the airport to checked the wind, which he said favored Runway 16. He noted there was a little ripple on a lake adjacent to the runway, but no waves or white caps. He determined that the wind was probably 170 to 180 degrees at 6 to 7 knots, with the windsock about 1/2 way out. The landing approach was normal. During the landing flare, a gust of wind caused the right wing to rise unexpectedly to approximately a 45-degree angle, almost forcing the left wing on to the runway surface. The pilot reported that he attempted to go around; however, the wind was blowing the aircraft to the left, and the aircraft was 'behind the power curve.' The pilot also stated that 'I think I touched [down] but am not sure.' The aircraft ultimately crashed through a barbed wire perimeter fence before coming to rest in a lake. Rescue personnel reported that near the time the accident, the winds were 'kicking from the west' with short gusts of approximately 20 to 30 mph. Also, they noted that in the general area of the accident, 'gusts come out of nowhere on a moments notice.' Density altitude was computed to be 8,000 feet msl. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1997, at 1240 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N28299, veered off the runway, collided with an airport perimeter fence, and came to rest in a lake during an aborted landing attempt at Spaulding Airport, Susanville, California. The aircraft was operated by the pilot for the personal cross-country flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from the Nervino airport, Beckwourth, California, earlier that same day, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. According to the pilot's written statement he flew over the airport at 7,000 feet msl and "checked [the] wind, which favored Rwy 16 . . . there was a little ripple on the water but no waves or white caps." He further noted that the wind was "probably 170-180 degrees at 6-7" knots and the "wind sock [was] about 1/2 way out." The landing approach was normal. During the landing flare, a gust of wind caused the right wing to rise unexpectedly to approximately a 45-degree angle, almost forcing the left wing on to the runway surface. The pilot reported that he attempted to go-around, however, the wind was blowing the aircraft to the left and the aircraft was "behind the power curve." The pilot also stated that "I think I touched [down] but am not sure." The aircraft ultimately crashed through a barbed wire fence before coming to rest in Eagle Lake. Rescue personnel reported that near the time the accident occurred, the winds were "kicking from the west" with short gusts of approximately 20 to 30 mph. Additionally, they noted that in the general area of the accident, "gusts come out of nowhere on a moments notice." The rescue personnel reported that the temperature was between 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit at the time the accident occurred. Based on that temperature and the airport elevation, the density altitude was computed to be 8,000 feet msl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28299](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28299-2001-04-02), registration cancelled 2001-04-02, S/N AA5B0537 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA5B0537 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jerry R. Attaway - Registered owner: Catherine S. Haas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: O02, BECKWOURTH, CA - Destination: 1Q2 - Airport: 1Q2, Spaulding, runway 16, 4,600 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 41 in this make and model, 246 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 213° at 6 knots, gusting 13 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 25 °F - Observed at: GRS, 8 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 19970709017389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970709017389A), Jul 9, 1997: Gulstm AA5B, Susanville, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot flew over the airport to checked the wind, which he said favored runway 16. He noted there was a little ripple on a lake adjacent to the runway. But… ## Other investigations on N28299 (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA98LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA132), Jul 12, 1998: Grumman American AA-5B (N28299), Chico Hot Sprgs, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-command's selection of the wrong runway for takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were high density altitude, rising terrain and a fence post. 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.