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NTSB Report

July 19, 2010 · American AA-1 · N5660L

Gallup, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 2010
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Gallup, NM
Aircraft
American AA-1
Tail Number
N5660L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10CA384

While en route on a cross-country flight, the pilot decided to land at an upcoming airport to replenish the airplane's fuel supply. He chose that specific airport because he thought that its lower elevation would be a better choice than his original planned stop. As was his normal practice at an unfamiliar airport, he opted to perform a touch-and-go practice takeoff and landing. After a normal touchdown, he input full throttle and began the departure. As the airplane passed the end of the runway, it began to lose altitude. Believing that he could not make it back to the runway, the pilot attempted to locate a suitable area to make a forced landing. The airplane could not make it to his selected area and collided with terrain, separating both wings from the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact anomalies with the airframe or engine. The density altitude at the time of the accident was about 10,200 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and failure to attain an adequate airspeed that led to a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for an off-airport landing and the high density altitude.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that while en route on a cross-country flight, he decided to stop at the Gallup Municipal Airport (GUP) in order to get fuel. He also believed that the airport’s lower elevation would be a better choice than his original planned stop. He added that at unfamiliar airports, he preferred to do a “touch-n-go” before landing. So, he did a normal approach and touched down before adding “full-throttle”, and “took-off at 80-mph; [however, and] only got to about 35-40 feet (of altitude).” Once past the runway end, he started to lose altitude. The pilot leaned out the airplane’s engine but kept losing altitude. Believing that he could not make it back to the runway, he looked for a place for a forced landing. The pilot reported he was unable to make his landing spot and that his only option was to “simply pull-up the nose and pancake in”. During the maneuver the airplane’s left wing struck the ground and subsequently both the airplane's left and right wings separated. The engine remained attached to the fuselage by the various electrical/control wires and cables. The pilot reported no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane’s flight controls or engine. A post accident calculation of the density altitude, indicated that at the time of accident, the density altitude was about 10,200 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 MDT
Nearest AirportGallup Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length7316 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican AA-1
Tail NumberN5660L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 SERIES · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.21 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data