# NTSB NYC88LA135: Grumman AA5B, N4557Q, Morristown, NJ, April 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1988, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Morristown, NJ
- Location: 40.7993° N, 74.4149° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MORRISTOWN MUNI (MMU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7993&lon=-74.4149&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA135

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO IMPROPER TECHNIQUE AFTER A BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE SECOND PILOT ALSO ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE SITUATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - control interference - performed, pilot passenger (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A BOUNCED LANDING ON RUNWAY 5 WITH WINDS FROM 300 AT 15 - 20 KNOTS. THERE WERE TWO PRIVATE PILOTS ON BOARD AND BOTH ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION WITH ONE WORKING THE POWER AND THE OTHER ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE BOUNCE. THE AIRCRAFT FELL OFF ON A WING AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4557Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4557Q-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N AA5B1234 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman AA5B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream American AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5b) (registry code 3970106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B-123A
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David R. Smith
- Registered owner: Century Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Destination: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Airport: MMU, Morristown, runway 5, 6,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 35 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19880430031669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880430031669I), Apr 30, 1988: Gulstm AA5B, Morristown, NJ, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing tried to go around but fell on one wing. Crosswind component was exceeded.

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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