Saturday, January 08, 2022

Loss of Control in Flight: Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah, N9593U; accident occurred January 05, 2020 in Rutherford County, North Carolina









Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Charlotte, North Carolina

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Accident Number: ERA20CA065
Date and Time: January 5, 2020, 16:49 Local
Registration: N9593U
Aircraft: American Aviation AA5
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Serious, 3 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot had planned for a 40-minute scenic local flight with 3 passengers aboard. The pilot was demonstrating an aerodynamic stall when the right wing "dropped very quickly." He attempted to recover and applied opposite rudder, reduced the airplane's pitch, and increased engine power. The airplane then entered a flat spin to the right. The pilot continued to attempt to decrease the airplane's pitch and continued left rudder application, but the airplane continued to spin. The pilot then applied "full back elevator" as the airplane impacted terrain. During the impact the airplane's right wing, horizontal stabilizer, and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an intentional aerodynamic stall, which resulted in a spin and subsequent collision with terrain.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 64, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: February 5, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: November 18, 2018
Flight Time: 1448 hours (Total, all aircraft), 678 hours (Total, this make and model), 1448 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 45.2 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 14.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Passenger Information

Certificate: 
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s): 
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: 
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Passenger Information

Certificate: 
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: 
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Passenger Information

Certificate: 
Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s): 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): 
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: American Aviation 
Registration: N9593U
Model/Series: AA5 A 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976 
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: AA5A-0093
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 13, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3277 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 160 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: AVL,2170 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 21 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 16:54 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 277°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 350° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.23 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 4°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hendersonville, NC (0A7)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hendersonville, NC (0A7)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 16:05 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Hendersonville 0A7
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 2084 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 3 Minor 
Latitude, Longitude: 35.387222,-82.109169(est)




6 comments:

  1. I wonder what the weight and CG of the aircraft was, also his altitude (AGL) when he tried to demonstrate the stall. Also wonder if there are any POH limitations on stall demonstration for the AA5?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pilot's statement in docket says he had climbed away from Lake Lure to 4400' MSL. Lake surface is about 1000' MSL.

      Weights and positions of all four and fuel aboard is stated in the Form 6120 narrative if someone with an AA-5 worksheet wants to figure it out.

      Remarkable survival. Not sure whether a recent Flightaware track showing the same aircraft back flying again over Tulsa in November is correct, given the damage that the plane experienced:

      https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N9593U

      Earlier info about it being a young eagles flight:
      http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2020/01/grumman-american-aa-5a-cheetah-n9593u.html

      Delete
  2. I cringe to see officials standing on a wing like that. . .

    ReplyDelete
  3. Four onboard, an "intentional aerodynamic stall, which resulted in a spin and subsequent collision with terrain." attempted over mountainous terrain and for what insane purpose?
    Just in case a dead stick is needed, demonstrate your high altitude trills in gliding range of an uncontrolled airport!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very lucky it wasn’t fatal for all onboard.

    ReplyDelete