# NTSB SEA92LA163: Grumman American AA-5A, N26671, Battleground, WA, July 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1992, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Battleground, WA
- Coordinates: 45.799621, -122.479927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7996&lon=-122.4799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA163

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S DELAYED DECISION TO EXECUTE A GO AROUND. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING THE ACCIDENT WERE: A TAILWIND, TREES, AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT AND FLAPS BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER EXECUTING AN APPROACH TO THE EAST RUNWAY THE PILOT OF THE AA-5A PERCEIVED A 'SIGNIFICANT TAILWIND' DURING HIS FLARE. WITH 1300 FEET OF THE 2000 FOOT LONG RUNWAY REMAINING, AND AT 50 MPH HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE LANDING AND GO AROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED APPLYING 'FULL POWER, FLAPS UP AND CARB HEAT OFF' AND THEN STATED THAT 'AS THE FLAPS RETRACTED THE LAST 15 TO 20 DEGREES, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO LEVEL OFF.' THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND THEN POWER LINES BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND. AN FAA EXAMINER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED AN 8 TO 10 KNOT TAILWIND AND POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY FAA PERSONNEL REVEALED THE CARB HEAT IN THE FULL OUT (ON) POSITION. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR THE AA-5A CALL FOR CARB HEAT 'OFF' AND FLAPS 'RETRACT, AFTER ACCELERATING TO SAFE AIRSPEED' FOR BALKED LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26671](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26671-1995-04-06), registration cancelled 1995-04-06, S/N AA5A0635 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A0635
- Airframe hours: 1860
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Van Bladeren, Ronald W.
- Registered owner: Van Bladeren, Ronald W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1992, 58 hours before
- Departed: 59S, VANCOUVER, WA
- Airport: WA87, Parkside, runway 9, 2,000 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,587 total, 99 in this make and model, 2,587 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 14 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 19920726027449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920726027449A), Jul 26, 1992: Gulstm AA5A, Battle Ground, WA, Destroyed. Became aware of downwind on landing roll. Began go around. Struck trees on climbout. Carburetor heat was on.

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.