Grumman AA5 accident near Longview, Texas, March 18, 2016
On March 18, 2016 at about 1:07 pm local time, a 1974 Grumman AA5, registered N9582L, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Longview, Texas (East Side airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 18, 2016 · about 1:07 pm local time
- Place
- Longview, Texas · East Side · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Grumman AA5, built 1974
- Registration
- N9582L · no longer on the register · serial AA5-0582
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noninstrument-rated private pilot departed on a local flight in instrument meteorological conditions. A witness saw the airplane enter low overcast clouds immediately after takeoff. He heard the airplane begin a left turn, then saw the airplane emerge from the base of the overcast in a nose-down, steep left bank. The airplane subsequently reentered the clouds and the witness heard the impact a few minutes later. Evidence at the scene indicated that the airplane struck 40-ft tall trees and terrain, coming to rest inverted about 75 ft from the initial impact point. An examination of the airplane and its systems revealed no anomalies. Given that the pilot was not instrument-rated, it is likely that he experienced a loss of control of the airplane after entering instrument conditions.
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
- VFR encounter with IMC during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low ceiling › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3TS0 Longview TX at 1:05 pm
- Destination: 3TS0 Longview TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 2,400 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 600 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KGGG, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 16, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum of Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Report Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.