Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B near Lone Pine, CA — 2023-08-19

Final reportWPR23LA322
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Date
2023-08-19
Location
Lone Pine, CA, USA
Aircraft
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B
Registration
N4537Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain altitude after encountering a downdraft, which resulted in collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while conducting a low pass over an off-airport landing strip at an altitude of 100 ft above the ground, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The pilot felt the airplane was unable to climb out of the valley without stalling, so he maintained airspeed, but the airplane descended and impacted the ground. The airplane subsequently rebounded and came to a rest in an upright position, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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