No fatalities

29 Mar 2008: Grumman American AA5B — Robert C. Newberg — Marlboro, MA

Marlboro, MA, United States

On 29 Mar 2008, a Grumman American AA5B operated by Robert C. Newberg was involved in an aviation accident near Marlboro, MA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind gusts while on final approach. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported encountering a wind gust on final approach that slowed groundspeed, causing the airplane to contact tree tops and land left of runway 32. No mechanical failures were reported.

Accident Sequence

The pilot reported being on final approach for runway 32, maintaining the centerline and on target for the touchdown zone. After clearing the first set of trees, a wind gust slowed the airplane's groundspeed, causing it to contact the top of a second line of trees. This led to the airplane landing to the left of the runway.

According to the responding FAA representative, the airplane clipped the tops of a group of trees at the approach end of runway 32. Following the tree contact, the airplane's nose lowered toward the runway. The pilot then raised the nose to flare, but the left wing dropped, causing the airplane to veer off the left side of the runway. The airplane bounced three times; on the third bounce, the left wing impacted another group of trees, causing the airplane to rotate 180 degrees on the ground before coming to a stop.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

Environmental Conditions

Winds measured at Hanscom Field (KBED), Bedford, Massachusetts, at 1256 EDT, were from 300 degrees at 18 knots with gusts to 24 knots. Hanscom Field is located 14 miles on a bearing of 050 degrees from the accident site.

Contributing factors

Causes

Crosswind correction — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Attain/maintain not possibleTree(s)Response/compensation