31 Dec 2008: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5 Traveler

31 Dec 2008: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5 Traveler — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Brunswick, GA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing flare. Contributing to the accident were the gusting winds.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

While landing, the pilot of a Grumman AA-5 approached the runway in a "crab" and with the right wing down, into the wind. The pilot stated that a "strong gust" of wind pushed the right wing toward the ground, as the main gear touched down in a nose-up attitude. The airplane became airborne; the pilot decided to initiate a go-around, and applied full power. As the airplane gained altitude, another gust of wind rolled the airplane to the right. The pilot utilized full ailerons and rudder authority to level the wings, then realized the airplane was headed towards trees that it would be unable to clear. The pilot pulled the throttle to idle and flared the airplane into a stall as the airplane descended into trees. The wind at the time of the accident was 40-degrees right of the airplane's nose at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • factor Response/compensation
  • cause Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 290/12kt, vis 10sm

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