Grumman American AA-5B accident near Santa Paula, CA
On June 7, 2002, a Grumman American AA-5B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Santa Paula, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 7, 2002
- Place
- Santa Paula, CA
- Aircraft
- Grumman American AA-5B · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.332°N, 119.021°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020620X00947
Official records · LAX02FA200
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 7, 2002, about 1010 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N13GT, collided with terrain during the climb to cruise after departing from Santa Paula, California. The commercial pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. The personal cross-country flight departed Santa Paula about 1000, en route to Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport, Bullhead City, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 34 degrees 19.9 minutes north latitude and 119 degrees 01.29 minutes west longitude. A witness familiar with the pilot and the airplane observed the airplane during the takeoff roll. The airplane departed runway 22 and began a left crosswind turn at an estimated altitude of 300 feet. The airplane continued the left turn to downwind, but the witness became concerned because the airplane was close to the mountains. He had never seen this pilot fly this close to the mountains. The witness lost sight of the airplane due to clouds. The witness reacquired the airplane for a few seconds when it was abeam the west end of the airport. He could see that the airplane was maintaining a high climb angle, but he became very concerned because the airplane was now even closer to the mountains. The airplane appeared to be angling towards the mountains. He could not see the mountaintops, but he could see a patch of blue sky ahead of the airplane over the mountains. About 1100, an
Probable cause
the pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument conditions and failure to maintain clearance with the terrain.
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Browse: California · Grumman American aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
