N5905LAMERICAN AA-12009-05-03 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

AMERICAN AA-1S/N: AA1-0205

Summary

On May 03, 2009, a American AA-1 (N5905L) was involved in an accident near Cumberland, WI. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff in crosswind conditions.

The pilot reported that the accident occurred during a crosswind takeoff from a turf runway. He noted that the airplane encountered an intersecting asphalt runway with a height difference that tended to "launch" the airplane. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain control because of the crosswind. He attempted to continue the takeoff, ultimately continuing beyond the end of the runway, across a road and impacting a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The nose landing gear, right main landing gear and right flap were also damaged. The pilot reported a left 90-degree crosswind about 10 knots at the time of the accident.

This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA279. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5905L.

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, May 3, 2009
NTSB Number
CEN09CA279
Location
Cumberland, WI
Event ID
20090506X51639
Coordinates
45.509998, -91.982498
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff in crosswind conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
AMERICAN
Serial Number
AA1-0205
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1969
Model / ICAO
AA-1IR23
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WINCH GERALD A
Address
41 RIDGEWAY DR
Status
Deregistered
City
SHELL LAKE
State / Zip Code
WI 54871-9794
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that the accident occurred during a crosswind takeoff from a turf runway. He noted that the airplane encountered an intersecting asphalt runway with a height difference that tended to "launch" the airplane. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain control because of the crosswind. He attempted to continue the takeoff, ultimately continuing beyond the end of the runway, across a road and impacting a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The nose landing gear, right main landing gear and right flap were also damaged. The pilot reported a left 90-degree crosswind about 10 knots at the time of the accident. He commented that additional flight instruction from an instructor familiar with the make and model airplane would have been helpful.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA279