Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX92LA008

FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA

Aircraft #1

N9694U

GRUMMAN AA-5A

Analysis

THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CALCULATED TO BE IN EXCESS OF 9,800 FEET. NUMEROUS GROUND WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, CLIMBED TO ABOUT 30 FEET ABOVE RUNWAY 21 AND FLEW ALONG ITS 7,000 FOOT LENGTH WITHOUT GAINING ANY ADDITIONAL ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND IN THE SAME RELATIVE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE INTO THE GROUND ABOUT 100 YARDS BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. A POST CRASH FIRE STARTED AFTER THE IMPACT SEQUENCE AND CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. ALL OF THE WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING STRONG ENGINE SOUNDS DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE FROM THE TAKEOFF TO GROUND IMPACT.

Probable Cause and Findings

AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE APPROPRIATE AIRSPEED DURING THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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