GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5B
Bridgeport, CT — November 1, 2008
Event Information
| Date | November 1, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA09CA034 |
| Event ID | 20081102X43844 |
| Location | Bridgeport, CT |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 41.16361, -73.12611 |
| Airport | Bridgeport/Sikorsky |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. |
| Model | AA-5B |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing and while suffering symptoms of vertigo.
Full Narrative
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."
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.