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NTSB Report
September 30, 1990 · Grumman AA5B · N81099
Gallatin, TN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Gallatin, TN
Aircraft
Grumman AA5B
Tail Number
N81099
Operator
Swanner John
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL90FA183
THE PILOT & PAX HAD RETURNED TO THE HOME FIELD AFTER A LONG WORK DAY THAT BEGAN BEFORE 9 AM. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT FOG HAD COVERED THE NORTH THRESHOLD & THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE RWY FROM THE SW TO THE NE. ANOTHER ACFT WAS ALSO ARRIVING IN THE LANDING PATTERN. THE PILOT MADE 2 ABORTIVE ATTEMPTS TO LAND VISUALLY BECAUSE HE HAD POSITIONED THE ACFT TOO CLOSE TO THE RWY. THE LAST RADAR POSITION OF THE ACFT WAS A LEFT DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 17. THE ACFT IMPACTED EAST OF THE FIELD WHILE IN A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. FOG & LACK OF GROUND LIGHTS TO THE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT WERE REPORTED BY LOCAL WITNESSES. THE PILOT WAS PROBABLY TIRED, & DISTRACTED BY THE ADDITIONAL ACFT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN THE INADVERTENT DESCENT INTO THE GROUND, AND HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION TO ANOTHER AIRPLANE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE FOG, DARK NIGHT, FATIGUE FROM LACK OF SLEEP, AND A LACK OF RECENT NIGHT LANDINGS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT & PAX HAD RETURNED TO THE HOME FIELD AFTER A LONG WORK DAY THAT BEGAN BEFORE 9 AM. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT FOG HAD COVERED THE NORTH THRESHOLD & THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE RWY FROM THE SW TO THE NE. ANOTHER ACFT WAS ALSO ARRIVING IN THE LANDING PATTERN. THE PILOT MADE 2 ABORTIVE ATTEMPTS TO LAND VISUALLY BECAUSE HE HAD POSITIONED THE ACFT TOO CLOSE TO THE RWY. THE LAST RADAR POSITION OF THE ACFT WAS A LEFT DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 17. THE ACFT IMPACTED EAST OF THE FIELD WHILE IN A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. FOG & LACK OF GROUND LIGHTS TO THE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT WERE REPORTED BY LOCAL WITNESSES. THE PILOT WAS PROBABLY TIRED, & DISTRACTED BY THE ADDITIONAL ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:43 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway17
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftGrumman AA5B
Tail NumberN81099
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSwanner John
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:50
Weather SourceWFAC