Amateur-built AA-5B accident near Oneonta, New York, April 2, 1994
On April 2, 1994 at about 7:15 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-5B, registered N28224, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oneonta, New York (Oneonta Muni airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND COMPONENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 1994 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Oneonta, New York · Oneonta Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5B
- Registration
- N28224 · registry record · serial AA5B0946
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AS HE WAS ABOUT TO LIFT OFF, THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, DESPITE USING RIGHT RUDDER/BRAKE. THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A SNOWBANK. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT WHEEL OR BRAKE. AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS A 90 DEGREE LEFT CROSSWIND AT 14 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 46 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 13 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,115 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 23, 1994; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kamp Air Aviation INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 4,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from BGM, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.