# NTSB NYC91LA221: Grumman AA5B, N4518B, Hampton, NH, August 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1991, 20:05 local (Aug 25, 1991, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Hampton, NH
- Location: 42.9419° N, 70.8259° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hampton, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9419&lon=-70.8259&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36998/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA221

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRPLANE PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO ALLOW RECOVERY.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE, THE PILOT'S COMPLACENCY, FAILURE TO DETERMINE THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES PRIOR TO TAKE OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A 2100 FOOT GRASS RUNWAY.  HE ROTATED THE AIRPLANE ABOUT 1/3 THE WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND THEN SETTLED BACK ON THE RUNWAY AGAIN.  THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AGAIN AND THE PILOT FELT HE WOULD NOT CLEAR TREES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HIS FLIGHT PATH. THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID THE TREES AND STALLED WHILE AT A LOW ALTITUDE STRIKING THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4518B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4518B), registered now, S/N AA5B1038, built 1978 (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)
- 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-1038
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Laflamme, doing business as Unk/Na
- Registered owner: Unk/Na
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: ASH, NASHUA, NH
- Airport: 7B3, Hampton, runway 2, 2,100 × 170 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 376 total, 277 in this make and model, 304 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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).

- [Accident 19910824038919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910824038919A), Aug 24, 1991: Gulstm AA5B, Hampton, NH, Substantial damage. Failed to clear trees on takeoff from short grass strip. Ground roll at weight 1954 feet. Field length 2100 feet.

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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