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August 5, 2001 · Grumman AA-5B · N4545T

Beaver Island, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Beaver Island, MI
Aircraft
Grumman AA-5B
Tail Number
N4545T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA266

The airplane traveled off the departure end of the runway and into a sand/gravel pit on landing. The landing was being made on runway 35 (3,500 feet by 140 feet, dry grass). A typed statement provided by the pilot with his NTSB form 6120.1/2 stated that because of trees at the end of the runway, the pilot made a higher than normal approach and sustained engine power until the trees were cleared. He reported the airplane touched down 500 feet beyond approach end of the runway. The pilot reported that during the landing roll he applied additional braking when he realized that the runway had a down slope. He reported, "While I am sure there was a moment that I could have aborted the landing, it passed due to my confidence that directional control and braking was sufficient to achieve this landing." The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway into a sand/gravel pit, which is 8 to 10 feet below the runway elevation. The right wing contacted a sand pile and the airplane rotated 20 degrees to the right prior to coming to rest. There are 60-foot tall trees located 10 feet from the approach end of runway 35. Runway 35 has a 1,350 foot displaced threshold.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot misjudged the approach and landing, and his failure to abort the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the trees at the approach end of the runway and the sand/gravel pit that the airplane traveled into.

Full Narrative

On August 5, 2001, at 1315 eastern daylight time, a Grumman AA-5B, N4545T, collided with the terrain after over running the end of runway 35 (3,500 feet by 140 feet, dry grass) while landing at the Welke Airport, Beaver Island, Michigan. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Harbor Springs, Michigan at 1230. The pilot included a typed statement with the NTSB form 6120.1/2 that he submitted. The statement reported that the pilot reported that he checked the weather prior to the flight and the winds in the general area of Beaver Island were from 270 degrees at 3 to 7 knots. He reported that they initially intended to land on runway 27 at the Beaver Island Airport. However, once arriving in the area, he decided to land at the Welke Airport, which was closer to the main town on the island. The pilot reported he flew over the Welke Airport and confirmed that the windsock was indicating that the wind was perpendicular to runway 35. The pilot reported, "On the turn to final it was observed that a stand of trees existed to the south of the field that required a higher than normal angle of approach to the runway." The pilot reported he used a slight crab to the left and "the power setting was sustained until the aircraft was clear of the treeline." He reported he closed the throttle after clearing the trees and the airplane touched down "500 feet beyond the south-most (entry) end of the runway." The pilot reported he maintained an airspeed that was 5 knots higher than normal due to the crosswind. The pilot reported that during the landing roll he applied additional braking when he realized that the runway had a down slope. The pilot reported, "While I am sure there was a moment that I could have aborted the landing, it passed due to my confidence that directional control and braking was sufficient to achieve this landing." The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway into a sand/gravel pit, which is 8 to 10 feet below the runway elevation. The right wing contacted a sand pile and the airplane rotated 20 degrees to the right prior to coming to rest. According to the 2001 Michigan Airport Directory and AirNav.com, there are 60-foot tall trees located 10 feet from the approach end of runway 35. Runway 35 has a 1,350 foot displaced threshold. Winds reported at the Charlevoix Airport (26 miles southeast of the Welke Airport) at 1315, were from 240 degrees at 6 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EDT
Nearest AirportWELKE (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width140 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman AA-5B
Tail NumberN4545T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data