On August 8, 1996, a Grumman American AA-5B (registration N28765) was involved in an aviation accident near Rexburg, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's failure to verify whether the flaps had raised, the resultant premature lift-off, and trees on the adjacent golf course. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a go-around after touchdown with full flaps, the pilot reported the flaps did not retract when selected up. The airplane lifted off prematurely, drifted left over a golf course, stalled while maneuvering to avoid obstacles, and struck a tree.
Accident Overview
The pilot of the airplane initiated a go-around after the aircraft had touched down with full flaps. According to the pilot's account, after moving the three-position flap switch to the up position, the flaps did not retract, a condition he did not recognize at the time.
Sequence of Events
The airplane subsequently lifted off prematurely and drifted left of the runway, over an adjacent golf course. While maneuvering to avoid vehicles and personnel on the golf course, the airplane encountered a stall or mush. The aircraft then impacted a tree and crashed.
Postaccident Examination
A mechanic for the aircraft operator informed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that a functional test of the surviving flap system components conducted after the accident showed they operated normally.