NTSB Factual Report

On May 14, 2010, about 1815 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5A, N26414, experienced a hard landing and veered off the runway at Monument Municipal Airport near Monument, Oregon. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certificated private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and right aileron from impact forces. The cross-country personal flight departed Salem, Oregon, about 1645, with a planned destination of Monument. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that the stall horn had sounded twice briefly during the approach to the runway, but he did not hear the stall warning horn after the flare. The pilot stated that the airplane just settled and touched down hard at an angle near the approach end of runway 32. The airplane then veered to the right, departed the runway, and collided with 10-foot juniper trees.

The pilot stated that the runway was sloped with a hump in the middle and a slight dogleg. He had previously landed downhill, but the local pilots recommended landing uphill. He thought that the different sight picture resulted in an early flare.

The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s misjudged flare during landing resulting in a hard landing and loss of directional control.