N9775U

On August 12, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5A airplane, N9775U, was substantially damaged during a go-around at Taylor's Airstrip, near Wayton, Arkansas. The instrument rated commercial pilot, registered owner and sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Boone County Airport, Harrison, Arkansas, at 1330.

According to the 7,500-hour pilot, he set up to land on runway 9. He noted that the wind was a direct cross-wind from 180 degrees. He stated that the approach was "very turbulent," so he added "approximately 8 knots to his approach speed." During the landing flare on the 1,900 foot turf runway, the airplane began to float and he initiated a go-around. While passing over a road at the departure end of the runway, "a strong gust of wind hit the plane from the south and moved the [air]plane approximately 25 feet left (north) and about 10 feet down." The pilot then observed the tree tops nearing the airplane and "applied some elevator, but the airplane continued in a level flight plane." Subsequently, the airplane contacted the trees and came to rest 500 feet east of the departure end of the runway, on a measured magnetic heading of 220 degrees, upright, in a wooded area. The pilot initially reported that the engine response during the go-around was "less than what it should have been," and subsequently, reported that the "engine responded normal."

At 1453, the weather observation facility at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (located 45 miles northwest of the accident site) reported winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots, temperature 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting 29.82 inches of mercury. The investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude at 4,529 feet.

An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site and reported that the outboard 1/3 of each wing was bent upwards and the left elevator was structurally damaged. The engine mount was damaged and the firewall was displaced. The left wing fuel tank was compromised, and fuel was present in the right wing fuel tank. He added that fuel was observed at the site and the "engine rotated freely."

The carburetor (m/n MA-4SPA) was examined at Precision Airmotive Corporation, Everett, Washington, under the supervision of an NTSB investigator. The carburetor was placed on a test bench and a flow check was performed. The examination and flow check revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the carburetor at the time of the accident.