Taylors Airstrip Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Wayton, Arkansas 72641
Thursday, August 12, 1999 15:00 CDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The airplane contacted trees after encountering a wind gust during a go-around. The pilot stated the approach to the 1,900 foot turf runway was very turbulent, so he added approximately 8 knots to his approach speed. During the landing flare, he said the airplane began to float, and he initiated a go-around. The pilot stated the engine response was 'normal.' Subsequently, a strong gust of wind hit the airplane, and the airplane contacted trees and terrain. Seven minutes before the accident, a weather observation facility located 45 miles northwest of the accident site, reported winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots, temperature 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting 29.82 inches of mercury. The density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be 4,529 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance with trees during a go-around. Factors were the gusty wind condition, and the high density altitude. Factors associated with the accident were gusty winds, and a high density altitude.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 8/12/1999
Event Day of the Week Thursday
Time of Event 1500
Event Time Zone Central Daylight Time
Event City WAYTON
Event State ARKANSAS
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 72641
Event Date Year 1999
Event Date Month 8
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport TAYLORS AIRSTRIP
Event Location Nearest Airport ID 0AR3
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport 90
Airport Elevation 2160
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1453 Central Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 315
Weather Observation Facility ID XNA
Elevation of weather observation facility 1287
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 45
Time Zone of the weather observation CDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 39
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 17
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 210
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 10
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29
Density Altitude (feet) 4529
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 1
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 857
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date Aug 12 1999 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1612
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information IMAGE
Date of most recent change to record Dec 12 2000 11:50AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N9775U
NTSB Number FTW99LA219
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Grumman American
Aircraft Model AA-5A
Aircraft Series Identifier AA-5A
Aircraft Serial Number AA5A0175
Certified Max Gross Weight 2200
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Aug 12 1999 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 2
Airframe Hours 1894
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name JIMMY C. KATES
Aircraft Owner Street Address 2806 STRAND STREET
Aircraft Owner City GALEVESTON
Aircraft Owner State TX
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 77550
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address
Operator City
Operator State
Operator Country
Operator Zip code
Operator Code
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code HRO
Departure City HARRISON
Departure State AR
Departure Country
Departure Time 1315
Departure Time Zone CDT
Destination Same as Local Flt crash at destination city
Destination Airport Code 0AR3
Destination City
Destination State
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight Approach
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 2 2001 10:35AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 9
Runway Length 1900
Runway Width 50
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --