Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B near Coalinga, CA — 2010-11-26

Final reportWPR11CA066
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Date
2010-11-26
Location
Coalinga, CA, USA
Airport
3O8
Aircraft
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B
Registration
N74400
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock prior to takeoff.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, she did not perform a flight control check prior to takeoff. During the departure roll, when the airplane reached 70 miles per hour, she realized that the gust lock was still installed in the control column. She attempted to remove the device, but was unsuccessful. She reduced the engine power in an attempt to stop the airplane, but it continued off the end of the runway; the nose gear separated, and it came to rest in a dirt field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and right wing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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