The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Accidents · NTSB ERA23LA019 · Final report

Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022

On October 14, 2022 at about 2:27 pm local time, a Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A, registered N26944, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Knoxville, Tennessee (Knoxville Downtown Island airport). It was an instructional 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 loss of directional control on landing.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
October 14, 2022 · about 2:27 pm local time · cases in 2022
Place
Knoxville, Tennessee · Knoxville Downtown Island · cases near this airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A · all AA-5As on the register
Registration
N26944 · registry record · serial AA5A0829
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The student pilot was on his first solo flight and was attempting to land. Just before touch down, a gust of wind pushed the airplane off the left side of the runway, and it struck a ditch. Subsequently, the left horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

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

  1. Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
  • Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation

Pilot

  • Certificate: student
  • Flight time: 56.2 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days
  • Medical certificate: Class 3
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 3,781.7 hours
  • Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 22, 2022
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming 0-320-E2G (piston); 3,781 hours total

The flight

  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 8, 3,499 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 260° at 6 knots, gusting 12
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
  • Observation at 10:35 am from DKX

Weather report (METAR): 14/10/2022 14:35-> METAR KDKX 141435Z AUTO 26006G12KT 10SM CLR 15/05 A3002

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

Photographs from the investigation 33 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them

Inspector Joseph Kachinski Statement for N26944 Accident Knoxville, TN On October 14, 2022 at approximately 1055 Eastern Time, N26944 was reported as an accident at Downtown Island Airport (DKX) in Knoxville TN. N26944 is a Gulfstream Ameri, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022Inspector Joseph Kachinski Statement for N26944 Accident Knoxville, TN On October 14, 2022 at approximately 1055 Eastern Time, N26944 was reported as an accident at Downtown Island Airport (DKX) in Knoxville TN. N26944 is a Gulfstream AmeriPhoto retrieved from www.fasttrackflighttraining.com, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022Photo retrieved from www.fasttrackflighttraining.comPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoOn October 17, 2022 I, Joseph Kachinski, and Inspector Aaron deVogal traveled to DKX where the aircraft was being quarantined in T-Hangar 16. I visited the FBO and inquired about viewing the daily/monthly fuel farm checklist. I was informed, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022On October 17, 2022 I, Joseph Kachinski, and Inspector Aaron deVogal traveled to DKX where the aircraft was being quarantined in T-Hangar 16. I visited the FBO and inquired about viewing the daily/monthly fuel farm checklist. I was informedPhotograph 10, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022I spoke with Mr. Gary W. Sumner who operates Fast Track Flight Training and is the registered owner of N26944. I asked to see the aircraft logbooks which he promptly presented. The last 100HR inspection was conducted on August 22, 2022 Tach, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022I spoke with Mr. Gary W. Sumner who operates Fast Track Flight Training and is the registered owner of N26944. I asked to see the aircraft logbooks which he promptly presented. The last 100HR inspection was conducted on August 22, 2022 TachPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoAn examination of the aircraft firewall from below, and from inside the engine bay, was conducted. It could not be concluded if the firewall suffered damage from the impact. Photo, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022An examination of the aircraft firewall from below, and from inside the engine bay, was conducted. It could not be concluded if the firewall suffered damage from the impact. PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoAn examination of the rest of the aircraft showed damage in other areas. The fairing over the LH main landing gear was cracked and had a piece missing. After removal of the fairing it was observed that the fuel sump was deformed and dented , from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022An examination of the rest of the aircraft showed damage in other areas. The fairing over the LH main landing gear was cracked and had a piece missing. After removal of the fairing it was observed that the fuel sump was deformed and dented Photo, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoThe LH wing tip and air data probe was damaged and had debris embedded. Photo, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022The LH wing tip and air data probe was damaged and had debris embedded. PhotoThe LH horizontal stabilizer showed substantial damage. The leading edge was creased and had an area of torn metal. It was observed that the front spar inside the horizontal was torn. Photo, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022The LH horizontal stabilizer showed substantial damage. The leading edge was creased and had an area of torn metal. It was observed that the front spar inside the horizontal was torn. PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoA checkout of flight control continuity was conducted. The aircraft yokes were maneuvered and flight control surfaces were observed operating with no discrepancies noted. Current aircraft times were recorded. During a later interview with t, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022A checkout of flight control continuity was conducted. The aircraft yokes were maneuvered and flight control surfaces were observed operating with no discrepancies noted. Current aircraft times were recorded. During a later interview with tPhoto, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022PhotoThe ELT did go off during the accident according to Mr. Morgan. Photo, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022The ELT did go off during the accident according to Mr. Morgan. PhotoI met with and interviewed Mr. Knight. I physically verified he holds a Student Pilot Certificate with third class medical. Mr. Knight was certified as having received the required training to qualify for a solo flight, as documented in his, from the NTSB investigation of Gulfstream American CORP AA-5A accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, October 14, 2022I met with and interviewed Mr. Knight. I physically verified he holds a Student Pilot Certificate with third class medical. Mr. Knight was certified as having received the required training to qualify for a solo flight, as documented in his

The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

1 document, released by the NTSB on June 7, 2023. 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.

#DocumentWhat it is
1 FAA Inspector Statement with Pilot Statements and Investigation Photos PDF, 37 pages · our copy View Download

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

Connections how this case links to the rest of the register

Aircraft
Place
Analytics

The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA23LA019.json.

The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.

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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.