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June 14, 2003 · Grumman AA-5B · N81268

Spring, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Spring, TX
Aircraft
Grumman AA-5B
Tail Number
N81268
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA179

While landing, the airplane encountered wake turbulence from a large helicopter that had previously landed. Prior to the pilot initiating a go-around, the left wing struck the runway. Subsequently, the pilot landed the airplane without further incident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control due to wake turbulence.

Full Narrative

On June 14, 2003, about 1100 central daylight time, a Grumman AA-5B single-engine airplane, N81268, was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway following a loss of control while landing at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH), near Spring, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The flight instructor pilot and his pilot-rated student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight originated from Houston-Southwest Airport (AXH) approximately 1030. The 3,260-hour flight instructor recalled hearing automatic terminal information service (ATIS), "Yankee," when he contacted DWH tower, about 9 miles south of the airport. When the airplane was approximately 2 miles from the airport, the tower controller cleared the airplane for landing to runway 17R, which is 7,009 feet long and 100 feet wide. After the airplane was down-wind, the tower controller said, "Grumman 81268, cleared to land, number two," at which time the pilot saw a helicopter in front of him. As the helicopter turned base for landing, the pilot recognized the helicopter as a military CH-47 Chinook. After the Chinook landed, the tower controller instructed the helicopter to air taxi to the helipads. On final, about 1 mile out, the pilot reported that the airplane was, "cleared to land, wind from 190 degrees, at 13 knots gusting to 18, caution, wake turbulence." The pilot stated that he told his pilot-rated student that they would be touching down about 1,000 feet south of the helicopter's touchdown point to avoid rotor-wash. Approximately 20 feet above the runway, the airplane encountered turbulence and the left wing "violently" dipped down; the left main landing gear struck the runway, and the airplane bounced. The pilot reported that he added full power and executed a go-around. A fly-by at tower altitude was made to determine visual damage by the tower controller, before an uneventful landing was performed by the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportDavid Wayne Hooks Memorial (0nm)
Runway17R
Runway Length7009 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman AA-5B
Tail NumberN81268
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4K · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 71 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data