# NTSB ATL00LA039: Alon A-2A, N67HS, Hernando, FL, March 28, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 2000, 12:43 local (17:43 UTC) - Place: Hernando, FL - Coordinates: 28.899234, -82.370864 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8992&lon=-82.3709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51034/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA039 ## Probable cause Loss of power due to carburetor contamination. Factors, were the trees, and the weather conditions were conducive to carburetor icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis According to the pilot, just after rotation the engine lost power and subsequently impacted trees between two homes. Examination of the engine found normal operational signatures throughout. Examination of the carburetor found that the carburetor accelerator pump did not operate when the throttle was opened. The carburetor was disassembled and the accelerator lower check valve was found contaminated with rusty debris. The acceleration leather plunger was found hard and red in color, similar to the rusty residue. The leather plunger did not fit tightly in the acceleration well. The carburetor bowl exhibited rusty residue in the lower portion. The float level was not measured, but visually appeared normal. Additionally, weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 2000, at 1243 eastern standard time, a Alon A-2A, N67HS, collided with trees during takeoff at the 12 Oaks Airport in Hernando, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, just after rotation at approximately 250 feet above ground level (AGL) the engine RPM decayed quickly but smoothly to about 1100 RPM. He steered the airplane straight ahead to clear a large marshy pond area with fields and numerous scatter pine trees, then turned left back towards the airport. He stated that he quickly pulled the throttle out and pushed in forward and the engine RPM returned to about 2100 RPM for about 20 seconds then the RPM decayed to around 1000 RPM. He pulled the throttle out and pushed in forward again, but with no change in RPM. The airplane subsequently impacted trees between two homes. Examination of the engine by Teledyne Continental Motors and the FAA, disclosed that the carburetor accelerator pump did not operate when the throttle was opened. The carburetor was disassembled and the accelerator lower check valve was found contaminated with rusty debris. The acceleration leather plunger was found hard and red in color, similar to the rusty residue. The leather plunger did not fit tightly in the acceleration well. The carburetor bowl exhibited rusty residue in the lower portion. The float level was not measured, but visually appeared normal. Additionally, weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N67HS (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Alon A-2A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: B-251 - Airframe hours: 3180 - Engines: Continental 90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward M. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1999, 123 hours before - Departed: 5FL7 - Airport: 5FL7, Twelve Oaks Air Estates, runway 4, 2,655 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,498 total, 850 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OCF, 13 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000328012509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000328012509A), Mar 28, 2000: Univar A2AALON, Hernando, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 28, 2000, at 0930 local time, alon-415-A2A, N67HS, registered to[privacy data omitted],developed engine problems and collided with trees after… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.