Probable cause
The student pilot's loss of directional control during an aborted landing, which resulted in a collision with a tree and impact with the ground.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that during the second landing of his flight, the airplane bounced twice and veered left. He reported that as the airplane was about to exit the left side of the runway, he applied full power to abort the landing. The student pilot reported that the airplane collided with a tree 60 feet above the ground on the left side of runway, spun around 270 degrees in the air and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA083 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 17, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Friendswood, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Polly Ranch (7XS0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5A
- N-number
- N9860U
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- 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.