Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A and Piper PA-22 accident near Fairhope, Alabama, October 26, 2012
On October 26, 2012 at about 9:50 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A (N26380) and Piper PA-22 (N2633A), were involved in the same accident near Fairhope, Alabama (H L Sonny Callahan Airport). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The Grumman pilot’s loss of directional control during landing for undetermined reasons because postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the Piper pilot positioning his airplane beyond the runway hold short line.
The Grumman pilot’s loss of directional control during landing for undetermined reasons because postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the Piper pilot positioning his airplane beyond the runway hold short line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made September 29, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 26, 2012 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Fairhope, Alabama · H L Sonny Callahan Airport · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A · all AA-5As on the register
- Registration
- N26380 · registry record · serial AA5A0404
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Piper PA-22 · all PA-22s on the register
- Registration
- N2633A · registry record · serial 22-905
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA-5A final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two airplanes, a Grumman and a Piper, were operating at a non-towered airport. The pilot of the Piper reported that he did not hear any airplane making position reports over the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency and subsequently taxied on a taxiway that was located about 1,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway and taxied past the hold short line toward the runway. The pilot of the Piper stopped his airplane about 75 feet short of the runway (and beyond the hold short line) when he noticed a Grumman that was on final approach. After touching down, about 500 feet beyond the runway threshold, the Grumman rolled another 300 to 400 feet before it suddenly veered left, and departed the side of the runway. The Grumman struck a taxiway sign before impacting the Piper, resulting in substantial damage to both airplanes. Postaccident examination of the Grumman revealed no discrepancies with the braking system; however, the left main landing gear tire was flat, and its inner tube displayed a small gash. It could not be determined if the damage to the tube occurred before or as a result of side-loading placed on it during the collision.
The NTSB's narratives can run to many pages; this is the opening. Read the full report at the NTSB.
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-22 final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two airplanes, a Grumman and a Piper, were operating at a non-towered airport. The pilot of the Piper reported that he did not hear any airplane making position reports over the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency and subsequently taxied on a taxiway that was located about 1,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway and taxied past the hold short line toward the runway. The pilot of the Piper stopped his airplane about 75 feet short of the runway (and beyond the hold short line) when he noticed a Grumman that was on final approach. After touching down, about 500 feet beyond the runway threshold, the Grumman rolled another 300 to 400 feet before it suddenly veered left, and departed the side of the runway. The Grumman struck a taxiway sign before impacting the Piper, resulting in substantial damage to both airplanes. Postaccident examination of the Grumman revealed no discrepancies with the braking system; however, the left main landing gear tire was flat, and its inner tube displayed a small gash. It could not be determined if the damage to the tube occurred before or as a result of side-loading placed on it during the collision.
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 ERA13LA041.