Accident Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger N4553R, Saturday 18 June 1994

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Date:	Saturday 18 June 1994
Time:	14:30 LT
Type:	Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N4553R
MSN:	AA5B-1207
Total airframe hrs:	813 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360-A4K
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Apple Valley, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	Banning, CA (KBNG)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT UTILIZING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE FROM A DIRT AIRSTRIP AT A DENSITY ALTITUDE COMPUTED AT 6,200 FEET. THE AIRSTRIP IS LOCATED AT 3,200 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND THEN SUDDENLY DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A FENCE AND AN EARTH COMPACTING MACHINE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT OR WINDSHEAR CONDITION.

Probable Cause: the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed in the takeoff initial climb and the resultant inadvertent entry into a stall/mush condition. High density altitude and downdraft conditions were factors in the accident.

Accident investigation: