Grumman AA-5B accident near Carlsbad, California, March 10, 1984
On March 10, 1984, a Grumman AA-5B, registered N74862, was substantially damaged in an accident near Carlsbad, California (Mcclelland-Palomar airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 10, 1984
- Place
- Carlsbad, California · Mcclelland-Palomar · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman AA-5B
- Registration
- N74862 · no longer on the register · serial AA5B0384
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 10 FT AGL & HE WAS BEGINNING TO FLARE FOR A LANDING ON RWY 24, A SLIGHT GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE PLANE TO DRIFT TO THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE PLT BEGAN CORRECTING FOR THE DRIFT, BUT THE PASSENGER GRABBED THE YOKE & PLACED HIS FEET FIRMLY ON THE RUDDER PEDALS. REPORTEDLY, THE PASSENGER 'FROZE ON THE CONTROLS.' THE PLT DIRECTED THE PASSENGER TO RELEASE THE CONTROLS & HIT HIM TWICE IN THE CHEST. AS THE ACFT CONTINUED TO VEER OFF COURSE, THE PASSENGER RELEASED THE CONTROLS, BUT BY THIS TIME, THE ACFT WAS HEADED TOWARD PARKED ACFT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME & DISTANCE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A CESSNA 182K, N2584F; A CESSNA 152, N24384; & A CESSNA 150, N63206. THE PASSENGER DID NOT REMEMBER GRABBING THE ACFT CONTROLS.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 285 hours in all; 230 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 235 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 225 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EMT El Monte CA at 11:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 4,700 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.