Skip to content

NTSB investigations: Grumman American Avn. AA-5B, CA

32 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Grumman American Avn. AA-5B. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19762026

Where

Latest cases

Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('3960105')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('3960105'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('3960105'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB WPR26LA037Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Santa Ynez, CAOn October 29, 2025, about 1820 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N74323, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Santa Ynez, California. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…Oct 30, 2025 · N74323 · Substantial damage NTSB WPR23LA322Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Lone Pine, CAThe pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.Aug 19, 2023 · N4537Y · Substantial damage NTSB WPR14CA043Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA 5B · Avalon, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing with a tailwind.Nov 3, 2013 · N1550R · Substantial damage NTSB WPR12CA061Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman AA5 · Furnace Creek, CAThe pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and loss of directional control.Dec 10, 2011 · N28870 · Substantial damage NTSB WPR11CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Coalinga, CAThe pilot's failure to remove the gust lock prior to takeoff.Nov 26, 2010 · N74400 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX07LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Oakdale, CAA total loss of engine power resulting from lubrication deprivation for undetermined reasons.Oct 8, 2006 · N39ER · Substantial damage NTSB LAX04LA184Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · San Jose, CAthe pilot's encounter with jet blast effects. Factors in the accident were the pilots' inadequate situational awareness of the potential for the jet blast encounter after hearing the Global Express airplane on the frequency call ready for taxi, and, the…Apr 10, 2004 · N74270 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX02FA200Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Santa Paula, CAthe pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument conditions and failure to maintain clearance with the terrain.Jun 7, 2002 · N13GT · Destroyed NTSB LAX98LA245Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Torrance, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed margin during the go-around attempt, which resulted in a stall/mush.Jul 26, 1998 · N74637 · Destroyed NTSB LAX98LA137Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA5B · Aguanga, CAthe lack of available published information regarding obstructions and nonstandard lighting at the private airport, and the lack of a lighted and properly marked displaced threshold.Apr 18, 1998 · N28565 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX97LA236Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Susanville, CAthe pilot's inadvertent encounter with unfavorable weather conditions during the landing, and his failure to maintain runway alignment. The sudden onset of crosswind gusts beyond the capability of the aircraft was a related factor.Jul 9, 1997 · N28299 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX89FA296Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · California City, CAFailure of the student pilot to maintain a proper airspeed while maneuvering for an emergency landing. Factors in the accident were the partial engine power loss, which was due to improper maintenance procedures, the student pilot's inexperience, the strong…Sep 6, 1989 · N28493 · Destroyed NTSB LAX89LA267Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Terminal Island, CAThe fatigue failure of an exhaust valve due to excessive wear of the respective valve guide. Factors related to the accident were: the fence & cars in the emergency landing area.Aug 8, 1989 · N28565 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX88FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Frazier Park, CAImproper maintenance performed previous to the accident flight which failed to identify a fault which rendered the airplane nonairworthy. Contributing to this accident was the pilot's exercise of poor judgement in disregarding weather forecasts indicating…Feb 27, 1988 · N74236 · Destroyed NTSB LAX87LA273Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Lake Tahoe, CAWhile taxiing to the rwy, the plt stated that the right brake failed. The acft rolled off the taxiway and collided with a transformer. Inspection of the brake revealed that the brake linings were worn and that the piston in the hydraulic cylinder had traveled…Jul 20, 1987 · N28452 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX86FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Gold Run, CAThe accident location and the departure airport is located in a mountainous area. The acft departed truckee-tahoe arpt (trk) to the northeast in marginal VFR conditions at sunset. The acft continued on a northeasterly heading for 18 miles and then turned to a…Nov 10, 1985 · N28495 · Destroyed NTSB LAX85FA078Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Corona, CADuring maint of the eng, & just before the annual inspection was signed off, someone partially loosened & then attempted to tighten the bolt securing the crankshaft gear to the crankshaft. The old lockplate was not replaced & was not properly secured about…Dec 20, 1984 · N74463 · Destroyed NTSB LAX84LA302Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Ruth, CAWhile attempting to land on rwy 31, the plt elected to go-around. He made a low pass down the rwy, pulled up at the end of the rwy for a downwind entry & began to mush. The acft hit a tall tree & impacted the ground.May 20, 1984 · N74848 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX84FA280Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Placerville, CAThe plt lived near the arpt & had been commuting to sacramento, CA for about 3 weeks. Rwy 27 was the prominant rwy & the arpt was surrounded by hills. Shortly after taking off, the acft crashed about 2 mi west of the arpt while in a right wing low attitude on…May 3, 1984 · N28867 · Destroyed NTSB LAX84LA211Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · Carlsbad, CAThe plt reported that when the acft was about 10 ft AGL & he was beginning to flare for a landing on rwy 24, a slight gust of wind caused the plane to drift to the edge of the rwy. The plt began correcting for the drift, but the passenger grabbed the yoke &…Mar 10, 1984 · N74862 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX82DA108Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportGrum Amer AA-5B · Placerville, CAWhen the pilot arrived at the airport, the top surfaces of the aircraft were covered with about two inches of snow. He stated that his preflight included a complete removal of the snow. However, he also stated that during the takeoff roll, there was a layer…Apr 16, 1982 · N28867 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX82FA040Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportGrumman AA-5B · 10 Nm W Lee Vin, CAWhile on the ground the pilot was refused a route over the sierra mountains, after departure the pilot requested and was given a change in his flight plan that cleared him over the mountains. At 1654 the pilot advised oakland center that he was climbing…Jan 4, 1982 · N28912 · Destroyed NTSB LAX81FUA02Accident · Minor injuriesClosedGrumman AA-5B · Torrance, CANov 29, 1980 · N74494 · Destroyed NTSB LAX80DVW21Accident · Serious injuriesClosedGrum-Amer AA-5B · Independence, CAJul 12, 1980 · N28844 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX80FA078Accident · 1 fatalClosedGrum Amer AA-5B · Moraga, CAApr 9, 1980 · N78EM · Destroyed NTSB LAX80FUG57Accident · Serious injuriesClosedGrum-Amer AA-5B · Elsinore, CAOct 6, 1979 · N81129 · Destroyed NTSB LAX79FUM23Accident · No injuriesClosedGrum-Amer AA-5B · Ramona, CAMay 24, 1979 · N28477 · Substantial damage NTSB OAK78DVG49Accident · No injuriesClosedGrum Amer AA5B · Angwin, CAJun 12, 1978 · N74494 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX78FA015Accident · 3 fatalClosedGrum Amer AA-5B · Desert Hot Spg, CADec 25, 1977 · N74787 · Destroyed NTSB OAK77FVG43Accident · Serious injuriesClosedGrumman AA-5B · Chico, CAJun 26, 1977 · N74601 · Destroyed NTSB LAX77FA047Accident · 2 fatalClosedGrum Amer AA5-B · San Luis Obspo, CAMay 23, 1977 · N81003 · Destroyed NTSB LAX77FUG01Accident · Serious injuriesClosedGrum Amer AA-5B · Big Bear City, CAOct 1, 1976 · N74110 · Destroyed