Amateur-built AA-5A accident near Vancouver, Washington, May 28, 2002
On May 28, 2002, a amateur-built AA-5A, registered N26221, was substantially damaged in an accident near Vancouver, Washington (Green Mountain 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's delayed remedial action during the landing sequence. Factors include a wet runway surface.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2002
- Place
- Vancouver, Washington · Green Mountain · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5A
- Registration
- N26221 · no longer on the register · serial AA5A-0473
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
In a written report, the airline transport pilot reported that the approach was normal, and that the airplane touched down within the first 500 feet of the runway. He reported that after touchdown the flaps were retracted and brakes were applied, however, "... it became apparent that the aircraft was not slowing or stopping and after standing on the brakes I then realized the aircraft would not stop on the remaining length [of runway] left". The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, colliding with a drainage ditch and fence. The pilot reported that the landing surface was wet and very slick. Rain showers were reported in the area at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he hadn't experienced any mechanical difficulties or malfunctions with the airplane that contributed to the accident.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,886 hours in all; 169 in this make and model; 138 in the last 90 days; 46 in the last 30 days; 7,548 as pilot in command; 1,339 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 29, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,768 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 2002; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 59S Vancouver WA at 11:55 pm
- Destination: WA67 Vancouver WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 2,000 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 4,300 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.