On March 21, 1982, a Grumman AA-5B (registration N28791) operated by Jefferson Flight Center was involved in an aviation accident near Lebanon, OR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot with limited experience in the aircraft model made a tail-first landing, causing a bounce and departure from the runway into a drainage ditch, where it traveled about 1500 feet before hitting a culvert and crossing a taxiway.
Incident Details
A pilot with approximately 3 hours of flying experience in the specific make and model of aircraft was conducting his first landing with rear-seat passengers. The pilot reported that the wind was variable and gusting to 15 knots.
During the landing flare, the pilot felt a sudden drop and applied power to compensate. The aircraft touched down tail first, then bounced. It subsequently departed the left side of the runway and continued down a drainage ditch beside the runway.
Sequence of Events
A witness stated that the plane traveled along the drainage ditch for about 1,500 feet. The aircraft then struck a culvert and crossed over a perpendicular taxiway before coming to a stop.
No further details were provided regarding the aircraft's condition or the status of those on board.