# NTSB WPR11CA066: Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, N74400, Coalinga, CA, November 26, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 26, 2010, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Coalinga, CA - Coordinates: 36.13972, -120.360275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1397&lon=-120.3603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77889 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77889/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77889 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA066 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock prior to takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: gust lock or damper](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, she did not perform a flight control check prior to takeoff. During the departure roll, when the airplane reached 70 miles per hour, she realized that the gust lock was still installed in the control column. She attempted to remove the device, but was unsuccessful. She reduced the engine power in an attempt to stop the airplane, but it continued off the end of the runway; the nose gear separated, and it came to rest in a dirt field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and right wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot submitted a written statement. She said she did not conduct a control check prior to takeoff. During the departure roll when the airplane reached 70 miles per hour, she realized the gust lock was still installed. She attempted to remove it unsuccessfully and then reduced the throttle attempting to stop the airplane. The airplane went off the end of the runway, the nose gear separated, and it came to rest in a dirt field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74400](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74400), registered now, S/N AA5B-0213, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B - 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-0213 - Airframe hours: 2370 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Anna Longwell - Registered owner: Anna Longwell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2010, 16 hours before - Departed: 3O8, Coalinga, CA - Destination: PAO, Palo Alto, CA - Airport: 3O8, Harris Ranch, runway 14, 2,820 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,282 total, 400 in this make and model, 921 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: NLC, 15 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 20101126053359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101126053359A), Nov 26, 2010: Grumman Ame AA-5B, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. On 11-26-2010 N74400 was intending to depart from harris ranch airport (3O8) prior to takeoff the pilot overheard an aircraft inbound for landing and decided… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77889. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 268 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Accident Site Diagram (item 2, .PDF, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341042&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Accident%20Site%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Accident Site (Provided by Airport) (item 3, .PDF, 605 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Accident%20Site%20(Provided%20by%20Airport)-Master.PDF 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.