Grumman American AA-5 N9570L

Summary

On 12 August 2000 at about 00:20 local time, a Grumman American AA-5 registered N9570L was involved in an accident near Cherry Valley, New York, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 August 2000 at 00:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Cherry Valley, New York, United States

Coordinates

42.7906, -74.7505

Aircraft

Grumman American AA-5

Registration

N9570L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ithaca → Schenectady

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

NYC00FA225

1 person died.

The pilot's improper decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were the dark night, fog, low ceiling, and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The day before the accident the pilot purchased the airplane. The next day, he departed on a cross-country flight to ferry the airplane home. On the flight prior to the accident, the pilot landed at the wrong airport without a clearance. Once on the ground, the pilot apologized to the tower controller, and advised the controller that he was out of fuel. The airplane was serviced and then departed on the accident flight. A witness at the accident site heard the airplane fly low over his house. He then heard an increase in engine rpm, which last about 2 seconds, and ended with a 'thud.' Weather at the site during the time of the accident was rainy, foggy, and dark, with the base of the clouds about treetop level. The pilot had no recent night flight experience, and did not hold an instrument rating. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have contributed to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.