Grumman American AA-1B N9875L

Summary

On 5 June 1996 at about 21:00 local time, a Grumman American AA-1B registered N9875L, operated by Richard V. Brewster, was involved in an accident near Coquille, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 June 1996 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Coquille, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Benham (Private)

Coordinates

43.1992, -124.1199

Aircraft

Grumman American AA-1B

Registration

N9875L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Richard V. Brewster

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

North Bend → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA96LA111

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's inadequate evaluation of wind conditions, and his subsequent failure to initiate a go-around in a timely manner, which resulted in his inability to maintain clearance with trees during the go-around. Factors relating to the accident included a tail wind condition, a short runway, and hilly terrain beyond the departure end of the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that while on an approach to the airport, he checked the wind sock, saw a tail wind, and decided to go around, 'but was unable to climb out in time to clear trees.' The airplane crashed into trees beyond the departure end of the runway about 520 feet above the airport elevation. The runway at the airport was 1,700 feet long. The pilot stated that he believed he had waited too long to go around, and he indicated that mechanical malfunction or failure was not involved in the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.