# NTSB WPR14CA043: Grumman American Avn. AA 5B, N1550R, Avalon, CA, November 3, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 3, 2013, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Avalon, CA - Coordinates: 33.404998, -118.415832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4050&lon=-118.4158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88384 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88384/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88384 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA043 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing with a tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=3960105), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: 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 The pilot reported that prior to arrival at the airport he checked the weather, which was reporting that the wind was variable at 7 knots. While on final approach, over the numbers, he reported that the airplane was not descending as it should and seemed fast. The pilot observed the windsock straight out and realized he was landing with a tailwind. As he was deciding whether to go around or not, the landing gear touched down, and he decided to make a full stop. The airplane subsequently continued off the end of the runway and over a cliff coming to rest upright about 120 feet from the runway in an open dirt area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and undercarriage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that prior to arrival at the airport he checked the weather, which was reporting that the wind was variable at 7 knots. While on final approach, over the numbers, he reported that the airplane was not descending as it should and seemed fast. The pilot observed the windsock straight out and realized he was landing with a tailwind. As he was deciding whether to go around or not, the landing gear touched down, and he decided to make a full stop. The airplane subsequently continued off the end of the runway and over a cliff coming to rest upright about 120 feet from the runway in an open dirt area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and undercarriage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1550R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1550R-2018-03-09), registration cancelled 2018-03-09, S/N AA5B-0050, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA 5B (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: AA5B-0050 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 2118 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2013, 38 hours before - Departed: SEE, SAN DIEGO/EL CAJON, CA - Destination: AVX, Avalon, CA - Airport: AVX, Catalina, runway 22, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 12, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 34 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: AVX, 1 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 20131103020289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131103020289A), Nov 3, 2013: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5B, Avalon, CA, Substantial damage. A/c was approaching kavx runway 22 for landing. Few clouds noted off runway 22 approach at approximately 1400 ft. pilot elected to fly above cloud layer which… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88384. 429 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409815&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies - Los Angeles County Fire Department Report (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies%20-%20Los%20Angeles%20County%20Fire%20Department%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - Report from Catalina Airport Operations (item 3, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20-%20Report%20from%20Catalina%20Airport%20Operations-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.