On September 29, 2007, a Grumman American AA-5 TRAVELER (registration N9583L) was involved in an aviation accident near Warrenton, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The low airspeed gust factor by the pilot, the altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot, and the inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot during the landing approach. Contributing factors were the trees and wind gusts. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft was substantially damaged after hitting trees and terrain during its sixth landing attempt in increasing wind variability. The pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The flaps were not fully extended.
Accident Sequence
The accident occurred during a landing approach when the aircraft impacted trees and terrain. The pilot was conducting rides for children of a local organization and had made five previous landings that day. Due to increasing wind variability, the sixth landing attempt was the last planned. During the base-to-final turn, the pilot reported that a wind gust caused a descent rate of 100 feet per second. The pilot applied full power to recover, but another wind gust caused a further descent. To avoid impacting the trees nose-first, the pilot attempted to induce a full stall.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and three passengers reported minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Examination revealed impact damage to the right wing from a tree.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination showed that the flaps were not fully extended at the time of impact.