Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA 5B accident near Avalon, California, November 3, 2013
On November 3, 2013 at about 11:15 pm local time, a 1975 Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA 5B, registered N1550R, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Avalon, California (Catalina airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing with a tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 3, 2013 · about 11:15 pm local time · cases in 2013
- Place
- Avalon, California · Catalina · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman American Avn. CORP. AA 5B B, built 1975 · all AA 5Bs on the register
- Registration
- N1550R · no longer on the register · serial AA5B-0050
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that prior to arrival at the airport he checked the weather, which was reporting that the wind was variable at 7 knots. While on final approach, over the numbers, he reported that the airplane was not descending as it should and seemed fast. The pilot observed the windsock straight out and realized he was landing with a tailwind. As he was deciding whether to go around or not, the landing gear touched down, and he decided to make a full stop. The airplane subsequently continued off the end of the runway and over a cliff coming to rest upright about 120 feet from the runway in an open dirt area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and undercarriage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 231 hours in all; 34 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 12, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,118 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 9, 2013; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,401 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K (piston); 2,118 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SEE San Diego/El Cajon CA at 10:15 pm
- Destination: AVX Avalon CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from AVX, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 20, 2014. 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Reports from Local Agencies - Los Angeles County Fire Department Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - Report from Catalina Airport Operations | PDF, 1 page | 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
- N1550R: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5 Traveler, Cheetah and Tiger 1,286 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K 44 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Catalina Airport · nearest airport
- Gillespie Field · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in California 9,080 since 1982 · 1,098 in the last ten years
- California 27,686 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR14CA043.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.