Summary
On November 03, 2013, a Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA 5B (N1550R) was involved in an accident near Avalon, CA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 2 people uninjured out of 3 aboard. 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 aircraft control while landing with a tailwind.
The pilot reported that prior to arrival at the airport he checked the weather, which was reporting that the wind was variable at 7 knots. While on final approach, over the numbers, he reported that the airplane was not descending as it should and seemed fast. The pilot observed the windsock straight out and realized he was landing with a tailwind. As he was deciding whether to go around or not, the landing gear touched down, and he decided to make a full stop. The airplane subsequently continued off the end of the runway and over a cliff coming to rest upright about 120 feet from the runway in an open dirt area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and undercarriage.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR14CA043. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1550R.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing with a tailwind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that prior to arrival at the airport he checked the weather, which was reporting that the wind was variable at 7 knots. While on final approach, over the numbers, he reported that the airplane was not descending as it should and seemed fast. The pilot observed the windsock straight out and realized he was landing with a tailwind. As he was deciding whether to go around or not, the landing gear touched down, and he decided to make a full stop. The airplane subsequently continued off the end of the runway and over a cliff coming to rest upright about 120 feet from the runway in an open dirt area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and undercarriage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR14CA043