Grumman American Avn AA-5 N1334R

Summary

On 5 July 2011 at about 17:50 local time, a Grumman American Avn AA-5 registered N1334R, operated by Steven L Emerson, was involved in an accident near Yacoit, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 July 2011 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Yacoit, Washington, United States

Coordinates

45.7119, -122.3369

Aircraft

Grumman American Avn AA-5

Registration

N1334R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Steven L Emerson

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Yacoit → John Day

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA306

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was climbing to cruise altitude up a valley in mountainous terrain when he felt a "small bump" and that the airplane subsequently began descending. While maintaining a low altitude to avoid overlying controlled airspace, he initiated a left turn to avoid rising terrain ahead, but a wing collided with a tree. The airplane came to rest in a gravel pit. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.