Grumman American Aviation CORP AA-5A accident near Springfield, Missouri, October 6, 2010
On October 6, 2010 at about 3:40 pm local time, a Grumman American Aviation CORP AA-5A, registered N9695U, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Springfield, Missouri (Downtown Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted go-around, which led to an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2010 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Springfield, Missouri · Downtown Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman American Aviation CORP AA-5A
- Registration
- N9695U · no longer on the register · serial AA5A-0061
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he decided to land near the runway numbers instead of landing at the touchdown zone 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway to provide additional separation from another airplane that had just landed. While on short final, the pilot determined that he might be short of the runway by 3 or 4 feet so he raised the nose of the airplane to extend the glidepath. The airplane stalled and bounced hard on the runway. The airplane bounced a second time and the pilot attempted to execute a go-around. He pushed the throttle full in, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. He attempted to direct the airplane back onto the runway, but it continued in the grass for about 280 feet. The airplane returned to the runway, but then veered off the right side of the runway as the pilot raised the flaps. The airplane became airborne again but also stalled again and subsequently struck the ground in a nose-low attitude. A postimpact fire ensued and consumed the majority of the airplane. The postaccident inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane during the accident flight.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 105 hours in all; 37 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 26 in the last 30 days; 36 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 23, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,794 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 23, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 3DW Springfield MO at 3:10 pm
- Destination: 3DW Springfield MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 4,035 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 3:52 pm from 3DW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.