# NTSB WPR12CA061: Grumman AA5, N28870, Furnace Creek, CA, December 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 10, 2011, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Furnace Creek, CA - Coordinates: 36.460556, -116.879722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4606&lon=-116.8797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82492 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82492/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82492 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA061 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he flared too high, and the airplane landed hard and bounced. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway and nosed over after the nose landing gear collapsed and separated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing. The pilot stated that he added power during the bounce, but decided to abort the attempted go-around. The pilot further stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he flared too high, made a hard landing, and then bounced at least once. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway and nosed over after the nose landing gear collapsed and separated. The pilot stated that he briefly added power during the bounce, but decided to abort the attempted go around. The pilot further stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28870](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28870-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N AA5B0875, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5 (B) - 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: AA5B0875 - Airframe hours: 3726 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald S Slutzky - Registered owner: Santa Barbara Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 11, 2011 - Departed: SBA, Santa Barbara, CA - Destination: L06, Furnace Creek, CA - Airport: L06, Furnace Creek Airport, runway 33, 3,065 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg ## 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 20111210027719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111210027719A), Dec 10, 2011: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5B, Death Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Weather at the time of the accident was good VFR; weather not a factor. Pilot stated that he first overflew the airport to check the windsock and that no wind… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82492. 335 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.