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.
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.