# NTSB MKC89LA113: American AA5-B, N45278, Valentine, NE, May 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1989, 19:15 local (May 24, 1989, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Valentine, NE
- Coordinates: 42.869773, -100.549766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8698&lon=-100.5498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DELAYED INITIATING A GO-AROUND AFTER NOT ATTAINING A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE TREES OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - attempted, pilot in command
  - clearance - not possible (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A 1500 FOOT SOD STRIP DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS, THE PLT SAID HE WAS UNHAPPY WITH HIS FIRST ATTEMPT TO LAND AND ELECTED TO GO-AROUND. HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES, TEARING OFF THE LEFT WING, THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45278](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45278), registered now, S/N AA5B1138, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA5-B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream American AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5b) (registry code 3970106) (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: 1138
- Airframe hours: 1560
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stan Ortmeier & Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: OFK, NORFOLK, NE
- Destination: 5NE7, VALENTINE, NE
- Airport: 5NE7, Merritt Dam, runway 16, 1,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 360 total, 360 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VTN, 25 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 19890523012679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890523012679A), May 23, 1989: Gulstm AA5B, Valentine, NE, Substantial damage. Began a go around while trying to land on a 1500 foot strip. Density altitude 5000 MSL. Tore off wing on a tree.

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.