No fatalities

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

Cheyenne, WY, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot diverted due to deteriorating weather, then experienced a hard landing and veered left off the runway, striking objects and sustaining substantial damage to the right wing.

Event Details

According to the pilot, she diverted from her intended destination due to worsening weather conditions. During the landing approach, a second pilot in the right seat noted a right quartering crosswind. As the airplane transitioned to the roundout, the pilot observed an airspeed of 65 knots and heard the stall warning horn. The airplane then developed a high sink rate.

Pilot Report

The pilot attempted a go-around, but the aircraft landed hard and veered to the left. It became airborne again. The pilot tried to regain the runway centerline, but the fuselage and wing struck objects on the left side of the runway. She then determined that a go-around was not feasible, 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 stated there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation.

Weather Information

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

Contributing factors

Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedDescent rate — Not attained/maintainedPilotEffect on operation