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 October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 3, 2013 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Avalon, California · Catalina · 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
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.