Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing and while suffering symptoms of vertigo.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot of the Grumman AA5B stated he was maneuvering in his local training area when he experienced symptoms of "vertigo." The pilot was on a westerly heading in the late afternoon, looking through the propeller, at the onset of the symptoms. He managed to navigate back to his home airport, but during the landing, lost directional control, departed the runway, and collided with an airport sign. The pilot was not injured, but examination of his medical records revealed he was treated by a physician for symptoms of vertigo in the days following the accident. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A), flicker vertigo is defined as: "A disorienting condition caused from flickering light off the blades of the propeller."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA034 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 1, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Nearest airport
- Bridgeport/Sikorsky (BDR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5B
- N-number
- N4540L
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.