# NTSB MIA08CA084: Grumman American AA5B, N333FT, Marlboro, MA, March 29, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2008, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Marlboro, MA
- Coordinates: 42.343055, -71.508888
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3431&lon=-71.5089&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind gusts while on final approach.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was on final, on the centerline and on target for the "numbers" of runway 32. He cleared the first set of trees but he encountered a wind gust that slowed his groundspeed and caused the airplane to contact the top of the second line of trees. This caused him to land left of the runway. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The responding FAA representative stated that the airplane clipped the top of a group of trees at the approached end of runway 32. After clipping the tree tops, the airplane's nose lowered toward the runway.  The pilot raised the nose of the airplane to flare. The left wing dropped causing the airplane to veer off the left side of the runway. The airplane bounced three times. On the third bounce, the left wing impacted a group of trees, causing the airplane to rotate 180 degrees on the ground before coming to a stop. The winds at Hanscom Field (KBED), Bedford, Massachusetts, at 1256 EDT, were from 300 degrees at 18 knots, with gusts to 24 knots. Hanscom Field is located 14 miles on bearing 050 degrees from the accident site.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated he was on final, on the centerline and on target for the "numbers" of runway 32. He cleared the first set of trees but he encountered a wind gust that slowed his groundspeed and caused the airplane to contact the top of the second line of trees. This caused him to land left of the runway. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The responding FAA representative stated that the airplane clipped the top of a group of trees at the approached end of runway 32. After clipping the tree tops, the airplane's nose lowered toward the runway.  The pilot raised the nose of the airplane to flare. The left wing dropped causing the airplane to veer off the left side of the runway. The airplane bounced three times. On the third bounce, the left wing impacted a group of trees, causing the airplane to rotate 180 degrees on the ground before coming to a stop. The winds at Hanscom Field (KBED), Bedford, Massachusetts, at 1256 EDT, were from 300 degrees at 18 knots, with gusts to 24 knots. Hanscom Field is located 14 miles on bearing 050 degrees from the accident site.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N333FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N333FT-2013-10-18), registration cancelled 2013-10-18, S/N AA5B-0111, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman American AA5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-0111
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert C. Newberg
- Registered owner: Crosswinds Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KLDJ, Linden, NJ
- Destination: K9B1, Marlboro, MA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 9B1, Marlboro Airport, runway 32, 1,659 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 3,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 18 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: KBED, 12 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 20080329012669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080329012669A), Mar 29, 2008: Amrgen AA5B, Marlboro, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 20, 2008 at approximately 12:50 am EDT a Grumman AA-5B clipped the tops of a group of trees at the approach end of runway 32 while attempting to…

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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