No fatalities

10 Jun 2022: AMERICAN AVIATION AA-1A — Granite Falls, MN

Granite Falls, MN, United States
SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A private pilot reported a smooth takeoff and maneuvers before returning to the airport. The airplane impacted a flat dirt field, damaging the right wing and vertical stabilizer; the pilot did not recall events after entering the traffic pattern.

Incident Overview

A private pilot on a personal flight reported that the takeoff from the departure airport was smooth. After climbing to about 2,300 ft, the pilot performed several maneuvers and then decided to return to the departure airport for landing.

Accident Sequence

The airplane impacted a flat dirt field, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated that he did not remember any events after the airplane entered the airport traffic pattern, except for radio calls he made during that period.

Pilot and Aircraft Information

The pilot noted that the airplane was operating normally throughout the flight. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Investigation Findings

No mechanical issues were identified that could have contributed to the accident. The pilot's memory loss after entering the traffic pattern remains a notable aspect of the incident, but no further information regarding the cause was provided in the initial report.

Contributing factors

Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained