Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed in the takeoff initial climb and the resultant inadvertent entry into a stall/mush condition. High density altitude and downdraft conditions were factors in the accident.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 18, 1994, about 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5B, N4553R, crashed during takeoff from the Holiday Valley Ranch Airport, a private dirt airstrip about 7 miles east of Apple Valley, California. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Banning, California, when the accident occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported that prior to departure he reviewed and planned a short field takeoff under high density altitude conditions. After lift-off from runway 06, about 40 feet above the ground, the airplane entered a downdraft and/or windshear and the airplane descended to the ground. The airplane then struck a fence and a large, earth compacting machine. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and engine.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA258