American AA-1 N5789L
19 December 1997 · Monticello, Florida, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 19 December 1997 at about 19:15 local time, a American AA-1 registered N5789L, operated by David W. Johnson, was involved in an accident near Monticello, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Monticello, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Hidden Acres (FD01)
- Coordinates
- 30.5402, -83.8695
- Aircraft
- American AA-1
- Registration
- N5789L
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- David W. Johnson
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL98LA027
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and failure to ensure that the airplane would be able to clear trees during takeoff. Related factors were: the high/wet vegetation on the grass runway, and the proximity of trees to the runway.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot stated that he taxied to the end of the 2,000 foot long runway, and performed a run-up. During takeoff, he advanced the throttle full forward and began the takeoff roll. The aircraft accelerated and lifted off into ground effect. The pilot said he flew in ground effect, but the aircraft did not accelerate and climb as expected. At the end of the runway, he pulled up, but the airplane stalled (mushed) into trees. According to the pilot, he believed the accident could have been avoided if he had departed from an airport with a longer runway. According to an FAA inspector, the pilot attempted to takeoff from a strip covered with wet grass that was 7 to 8 inches tall. The Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) showed that a takeoff distance of 1615 feet was needed to clear a 50 foot obstacle during takeoff from a hard surfaced runway, at maximum gross weight, with flaps up, wind zero, and sea level conditions. There was no chart for takeoff performance from a grass strip.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other American AA-1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 May 1997 | American AA-1 | Lewisburg, West Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Nov 1997 | American AA-1 | Nevada, Missouri, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 12 Aug 1996 | American AA-1 | Rosamond, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 10 Sep 1995 | American AA-1 | Sarasota, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1999 | American AA-1 | Centennial, Wyoming, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 1 Jun 1995 | American AA-1 | Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States | Richard D. McChesney | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Apr 1997 | Cessna 152 | La Crosse, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Apr 1997 | Navion A | Quincy, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Apr 1997 | Diamond DA 20-A1 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Pelican Airways | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jul 1997 | Cessna 172N | Lakeland, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Apr 1997 | Cessna 150M | Ormond Beach, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jul 1997 | Bellanca 8GCBC | Bunnell, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |