Amateur-built AA-5A accident near Wayton, Arkansas, August 12, 1999
On August 12, 1999 at about 8:00 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-5A, registered N9775U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wayton, Arkansas (Taylors Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance with trees during a go-around. Factors were the gusty wind condition, and the high density altitude. Factors associated with the accident were gusty winds, and a high density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 1999 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Wayton, Arkansas · Taylors Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5A
- Registration
- N9775U · no longer on the register · serial AA5A0175
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane contacted trees after encountering a wind gust during a go-around. The pilot stated the approach to the 1,900 foot turf runway was very turbulent, so he added approximately 8 knots to his approach speed. During the landing flare, he said the airplane began to float, and he initiated a go-around. The pilot stated the engine response was 'normal.' Subsequently, a strong gust of wind hit the airplane, and the airplane contacted trees and terrain. Seven minutes before the accident, a weather observation facility located 45 miles northwest of the accident site, reported winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots, temperature 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting 29.82 inches of mercury. The density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be 4,529 feet.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,500 hours in all; 91 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 3,590 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,894 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 12, 1999; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HRO Harrison AR at 6:15 pm
- Destination: 0AR3
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 1,900 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 102°F (39°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from XNA, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.