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November 10, 1985 · Grumman American AA-5B · N28495

Gold Run, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Gold Run, CA
Aircraft
Grumman American AA-5B
Tail Number
N28495
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA038

THE ACCIDENT LOCATION AND THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA. THE ACFT DEPARTED TRUCKEE-TAHOE ARPT (TRK) TO THE NORTHEAST IN MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS AT SUNSET. THE ACFT CONTINUED ON A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING FOR 18 MILES AND THEN TURNED TO A WESTERLY HEADING AND CONTINUED ON THIS HEADING UNTIL IT WAS ABOUT 8 MILES NORTH OF TRK. THE PLT THEN TURNED THE ACFT ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH A TREE AT THE 5000 MSL LEVEL. THE AUTOMATIC WEATHER OBSERVATION DISCLOSED RAIN EXISTED NEAR THE ACCIDENT AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE FLYING ALONG A RIDGE THAT TRAVERSES THE AIRPORT 8 MILES TO THE NORTH OF TRK IN AN EAST/WEST DIRECTION. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS AND/0R FAILURES.

Full Narrative

THE ACCIDENT LOCATION AND THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA. THE ACFT DEPARTED TRUCKEE-TAHOE ARPT (TRK) TO THE NORTHEAST IN MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS AT SUNSET. THE ACFT CONTINUED ON A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING FOR 18 MILES AND THEN TURNED TO A WESTERLY HEADING AND CONTINUED ON THIS HEADING UNTIL IT WAS ABOUT 8 MILES NORTH OF TRK. THE PLT THEN TURNED THE ACFT ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH A TREE AT THE 5000 MSL LEVEL. THE AUTOMATIC WEATHER OBSERVATION DISCLOSED RAIN EXISTED NEAR THE ACCIDENT AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE FLYING ALONG A RIDGE THAT TRAVERSES THE AIRPORT 8 MILES TO THE NORTH OF TRK IN AN EAST/WEST DIRECTION. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS AND/0R FAILURES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:57 PST
Nearest AirportTruckee-Tahoe (28nm WSW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman American AA-5B
Tail NumberN28495
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind190° @ 11 kt, gusting 28 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 21 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data