Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B near Bridgeport, CT — 2008-11-01

Final reportERA09CA034
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Date
2008-11-01
Location
Bridgeport, CT, USA
Airport
BDR
Aircraft
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B
Registration
N4540L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during landing and while suffering symptoms of vertigo.

NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot of the Grumman AA5B stated he was maneuvering in his local training area when he experienced symptoms of "vertigo." The pilot was on a westerly heading in the late afternoon, looking through the propeller, at the onset of the symptoms. He managed to navigate back to his home airport, but during the landing, lost directional control, departed the runway, and collided with an airport sign. The pilot was not injured, but examination of his medical records revealed he was treated by a physician for symptoms of vertigo in the days following the accident. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A), flicker vertigo is defined as: "A disorienting condition caused from flickering light off the blades of the propeller."

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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