N7138L

Substantial
None

GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5S/N: AA5-0638

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
NTSB Number
ERA09CA118
Location
Brunswick, GA
Event ID
20081231X95619
Coordinates
31.258611, -81.466392
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing flare. Contributing to the accident were the gusting winds.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N7138L
Make
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP.
Serial Number
AA5-0638
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1974
Model / ICAO
AA-5AA5
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
INDUSTRIAL POWER INC
Address
703 WHITFIELD ST
Status
Deregistered
City
FAYETTEVILLE
State / Zip Code
NC 28306-1617
Country
United States

Analysis

While landing, the pilot of a Grumman AA-5 approached the runway in a "crab" and with the right wing down, into the wind. The pilot stated that a "strong gust" of wind pushed the right wing toward the ground, as the main gear touched down in a nose-up attitude. The airplane became airborne; the pilot decided to initiate a go-around, and applied full power. As the airplane gained altitude, another gust of wind rolled the airplane to the right. The pilot utilized full ailerons and rudder authority to level the wings, then realized the airplane was headed towards trees that it would be unable to clear. The pilot pulled the throttle to idle and flared the airplane into a stall as the airplane descended into trees. The wind at the time of the accident was 40-degrees right of the airplane's nose at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA118