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Accident: American AA5

Jan 19, 2021 · Leesburg, VA

NTSB numberERA21LA106Event id20210119102531

0
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Minor injuries
2
Uninjured

Probable cause

The weakened structure of the left horizontal stabilizer, which resulted in elevator flutter and subsequent partial separation of the left elevator in flight. Contributing to the accident were the lack of elevator authority while landing due to the damaged left elevator and the inadequate inspection of the airplane, which failed to detect the disbonding of the left horizontal stabilizer.

NTSB docket ERA21LA106

Source: National Transportation Safety Board. Record last changed Oct 28, 2026, 10:54 UTC.

Aircraft involved

Aircraft
American AA5
Registration
N5880L
Year built
1972
Category
Airplane
Damage
Substantial
Operating rules
Part 91: general aviation
Defining event
Enroute-descent Flight control sys malf/fail

Source: National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident database. Counts only; Voydar holds no names.

Nearest airports

Airports with a Voydar profile closest to the recorded position. Proximity only.

  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)10 nm (18 km) south-east
  • Montgomery County Airpark (GAI)19 nm (35 km) east

This page restates the NTSB's public record. Injury figures are counts; Voydar does not hold or publish the names of anyone involved.