Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5B accident near Midland, Texas, May 14, 2009
On May 14, 2009 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5B, registered N225BC, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Midland, Texas (Midland Airpark airport). It was a personal 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 student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2009 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Midland, Texas · Midland Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5B · all AA-5Bs on the register
- Registration
- N225BC · registry record · serial AA5B0464
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll the airplane swerved left of the runway's centerline. The solo student pilot, who had obtained 16 total flight hours, corrected back to the runway's center before the airplane swerved to the left again. Electing to abort the takeoff, the student pilot closed the engine throttle and began to apply the brakes. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway and momentarily became airborne. Once back on the ground, the airplane's left wing tip impacted the airport perimeter fence and subsequently the airplane came to rest in an upright position. The student pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the left wing. The student pilot later reported that there were no malfunctions or failures with the airplane's controls.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 16 hours in all; 9 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 16, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Permian Volo INC
The flight
- Departed from: MDD Midland TX at 6:50 pm
- Destination: MDD Midland TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07, 5,022 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.