Grumman AA5 near Bloomingdale, GA — 2020-04-21

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during landing with a gusting quartering tailwind.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was returning to his home airport. The accident occurred during the landing attempt; the pilot could not recall the approach or accident sequence due to his injuries. According to a witness who lived near the airport, he heard the airplane and saw it fly over the midfield before it entered the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 13. He noted that the engine power was "pulled back." A few minutes later, the witness heard an impact. The airplane impacted trees and terrain on the left side of the runway and came to rest about 1,000 ft past the runway's approach end. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage stated that he found no preaccident anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to a report from an airport 10 miles southeast of the accident site, the wind was gusting to 18 knots.

NTSB coding

• Collision during takeoff/land · Approach-VFR pattern final

Evidence available

• Photos
• 5 docket documents

Docket documents5

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Memorandum for Record - Witness Interview Summaryinterview
• Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspectorother
• Weather Observationsother
• Investigative Photographsphotos

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