2 Jul 2019: American Aviation AA5 A — Western Air Flight Academy

2 Jul 2019: American Aviation AA5 A — Western Air Flight Academy

No fatalities • Cheyenne, WY, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate and landing flare during landing with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing and a subsequent loss of directional control, runway excursion, and collision with objects.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot reported that, while en route, she diverted due to deteriorating weather at the intended destination. She added that, during landing, a second pilot in the right seat reported a right quartering crosswind. During the "transition to the roundout," she observed 65 knots on the airspeed gauge, she heard the stall warning horn, and the airplane developed a high sink rate. She attempted to go around, but the airplane landed hard and veered to the left. The airplane became airborne again, the pilot attempted to regain runway centerline, but the fuselage and wing struck objects on the left side of the runway. She decided a go around was not possible, so she reduced power and landed the airplane in the grass to the left of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station, located about 3 miles west of the airport, reported that, about 2 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 020° at 8 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, broken clouds at 7,500 ft, temperature 15°C, dew point 12°C, altimeter 30.24" Hg. The same automated station reported that, about 32 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 020° at 9 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, broken clouds at 2,100 ft, temperature 14°C, dew point 11°C, altimeter 30.25" Hg, remarks stated lightning distant northeast-east with clouds broken variable few. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 27.

Contributing factors

  • Landing flare — Not attained/maintained
  • Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • Descent rate — Not attained/maintained
  • Pilot
  • Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 020/08kt, vis 10sm

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