Casualties unknown

1998-07-26: Grumman American AA-5B (N4535P) — Deadwood, SD

Deadwood, SD, US

On July 26, 1998, a Grumman American AA-5B (registration N4535P) was involved in an aviation accident near Deadwood, SD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane reported missing on its departure day was located six days later after colliding with trees and terrain, followed by a post-impact fire that consumed the wreckage.

What happened

The aircraft was initially reported missing on the same day it departed. It remained unlocated for six days until search teams finally discovered the wreckage. At the time of the incident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, suggesting weather was not an immediate impediment to visibility.

Upon locating the site, investigators determined that the airplane had collided with trees and terrain. The force of the impact resulted in a post-impact fire that consumed the majority of the airframe. Circumstances surrounding the specific sequence of events leading to the crash remain unknown due to the lack of additional data or witness accounts.

The investigation

A thorough on-scene investigation was conducted to assess the condition of the wreckage and the aircraft's systems prior to the impact. Examining the remaining airframe and engine components revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented flight. This finding suggests that a pre-existing mechanical failure did not cause the accident.

Findings

The primary factors identified include the collision with trees and terrain, followed by the post-impact fire. The lack of known circumstances surrounding the accident leaves the specific causal chain undetermined. No mechanical defects were found to have contributed to the event.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10539. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.