On 17 Dec 2015, a GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5A was involved in an aviation accident near Friendswood, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's loss of directional control during an aborted landing, which resulted in a collision with a tree and impact with the ground. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A solo student pilot reported that during his second landing, the airplane bounced, veered left, and exited the runway. He applied full power to abort, but the aircraft struck a tree 60 feet above ground, spun 270 degrees, and impacted the ground, sustaining substantial wing damage.
Accident Sequence
According to the solo student pilot's report, during the second landing of his flight, the airplane bounced twice and veered left. As the airplane was about to exit the left side of the runway, the pilot applied full power to abort the landing. The airplane then collided with a tree 60 feet above the ground on the left side of the runway, spun around 270 degrees in the air, and impacted the ground.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. No other damage was reported.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.