# NTSB LAX98LA245: Grumman AA-5B, N74637, Torrance, CA, July 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1998, 14:37 local (21:37 UTC) - Place: Torrance, CA - Coordinates: 33.83937, -118.34967 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8394&lon=-118.3497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43557 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43557/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA245 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed margin during the go-around attempt, which resulted in a stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - crosswind - go-around - attempted, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The winds were reported to be from 270 degrees at 15 knots. The pilot initiated the landing and stated that just before the flare the winds seemed to push the aircraft off the runway. She reported that she was unable to correct and initiated a go-around. The aircraft stalled, landed hard, then exited the runway and became airborne again before colliding with the ground. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position on runway 29R. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 1998, at 1437 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5B, N74637, landed hard on runway 29L at the Torrance, California, airport. The aircraft was destroyed. The private pilot and passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that she departed from Torrance en route to Palomar, but returned to land at Torrance due to inclement weather. The winds at Torrance airport were reported to be from 270 degrees at 15 knots. The pilot initiated the landing and stated that just before the flare the winds seemed to push the aircraft off the runway. She reported that she was unable to correct and initiated a go-around. The aircraft stalled and landed hard, then exited the runway and became airborne again before colliding with the ground. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position on runway 29R. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74637](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74637-1998-10-17), registration cancelled 1998-10-17, S/N AA5B0307 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman 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: AA5B-0307 - Airframe hours: 4908 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: West End Flyers - Registered owner: Joseph Gilbeau - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1998, 10 hours before - Departed: TOA - Airport: TOA, Torrance, runway 29L, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 219 total, 36 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TOA ## 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 19980726030079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980726030079A), Jul 26, 1998: Gulstm AA5, Torrance, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot stated that after level off, during landing, the aircraft drifted off runway due to a change in the direction of the strong winds. She attempted… 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.