Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control in cruise flight and encounter with a thunderstorm. Contributing to the accident was an inadvertent stall/spin.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at 7,000 feet in instrument meteorological conditions, he encountered embedded thunderstorms and up and down drafts. Multiple unusual attitudes were encountered and engine power was lost. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered a flat spin, from which the pilot was unable to recover. The airplane impacted a field in a flat attitude, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane's systems and an engine run revealed no anomalies. Satellite and radar data depicted embedded towering cumulus clouds and rain shower activity in the accident area.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DEN08LA074 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 11, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Beaumont, Texas
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman American Aviation AA-5A
- N-number
- N9764U
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.