Amateur-built AA-5A accident near Klamath Falls, Oregon, August 6, 1996
On August 6, 1996, a amateur-built AA-5A, registered N26414, was substantially damaged in an accident near Klamath Falls, Oregon (Klamath Falls Intl airport). It was a personal 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 pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during the landing/go-around. Factors relating to the accident were: strong, gusty crosswinds, and the encounter with a runway distance-remaining marker.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 6, 1996
- Place
- Klamath Falls, Oregon · Klamath Falls Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5A
- Registration
- N26414 · registry record · serial AA5A-0578
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Because runway 32 was closed for paving, the pilot elected to land on Runway 25. At the time of his landing, the winds were gusting to over 20 knots, and blowing about 60 degrees from the runway heading. Just as the aircraft touched down, it encountered a strong gust and began drifting toward the side of the runway. As it departed the runway, the pilot initiated a go-around, but the aircraft continued to drift. As he attempted to gain altitude and bring the aircraft back toward the runway, it collided with a distance-remaining sign and slid to a stop.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,376 hours in all; 21 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,172 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,835 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 13, 1996; 32 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: ONO Ontario OR at 9:15 pm
- Destination: LMT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 5,258 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 17 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.
Other NTSB records under N26414 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.