Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVIATION CORP AA-5A near Springfield, MO — 2010-10-06

Final reportCEN11FA008
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Date
2010-10-06
Location
Springfield, MO, USA
Airport
3DW
Aircraft
GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVIATION CORP AA-5A
Registration
N9695U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Go-around

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted go-around, which led to an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he decided to land near the runway numbers instead of landing at the touchdown zone 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway to provide additional separation from another airplane that had just landed. While on short final, the pilot determined that he might be short of the runway by 3 or 4 feet so he raised the nose of the airplane to extend the glidepath. The airplane stalled and bounced hard on the runway. The airplane bounced a second time and the pilot attempted to execute a go-around. He pushed the throttle full in, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. He attempted to direct the airplane back onto the runway, but it continued in the grass for about 280 feet. The airplane returned to the runway, but then veered off the right side of the runway as the pilot raised the flaps. The airplane became airborne again but also stalled again and subsequently struck the ground in a nose-low attitude. A postimpact fire ensued and consumed the majority of the airplane. The postaccident inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane during the accident flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have executed the go-around earlier after the first bounce.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents17

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