Grumman American AA-5B, N81383: Accident occurred October 12, 2018 near Rooke Field Airport (KRFG), Refugio County, Texas

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N81383

Location: Refugio, TX
Accident Number: CEN19LA007
Date & Time: 10/12/2018, 1304 CDT
Registration: N81383
Aircraft: Grumman AA5
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On October 12, 2018, about 1304 central daylight time, a Grumman AA-5B airplane, N81383, collided with terrain while maneuvering to land at Rooke Field Airport (RFG) near Refugio, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned by the pilot and operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight that departed Silver Wings Airport (TS36), near Fredericksburg, Texas, about 1120. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Grumman
Registration: N81383
Model/Series: AA5 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: RKP, 24 ft msl 
Observation Time: 1253 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 140°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Fredericksburg, TX (TS36)
Destination: Refugio, TX (RFG)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  28.303889, -97.330833 (est)