Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5B accident near Camdenton, Missouri, July 11, 2024
On July 11, 2024 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1975 Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5B, registered N23JK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Camdenton, Missouri (Camdenton Meml-Lake Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate maintenance of the seat locking mechanism, which resulted in the pilot’s seat sliding back during takeoff and a subsequent loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made September 29, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2024 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Camdenton, Missouri · Camdenton Meml-Lake Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5B, built 1975 · all AA-5Bs on the register
- Registration
- N23JK · registry record · serial AA5B-0022
- 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 pilot’s seat suddenly slid backward, and she was unable to reach the pedals, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the engine mount, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot’s seat tracks were a newer heat-treated version. There were wear marks on the seat lock pin tip indicative of previous alignment issues. The spring that held the lock pins in place was installed incorrectly and the corresponding push-pull rod was bent. This incorrect spring placement shortened the travel of the spring and reduced the tension on the lock pins. The seat brackets that attach to the spar exhibited worn and elongated bolt holes, which created a misalignment of the seat support. It’s likely that the condition of the seat locking mechanism prevented the seat from locking correctly, which resulted in the seat sliding back during takeoff. A review of the available airframe maintenance records did not reveal any entries regarding inspections or work performed on the seats or the seat tracks. The investigation was unable to determine when the pilot’s seat was last inspected, when the lock pin spring was incorrectly installed, and by whom.
The NTSB's narratives can run to many pages; this is the opening. Read the full report at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database and is rewritten in plain English only where the NTSB used codes; the probable cause and narrative are the NTSB's own words. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN24LA315.