# NTSB ATL86LA238: Joe Almon Falcon XP, N548YA, Mt Olive, AL, September 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1986, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Mt Olive, AL
- Coordinates: 33.669422, -86.889015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6694&lon=-86.8890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA238

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - vertical stabilizer attachment - separation
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - flight control,rudder - movement restricted
  - directional control - reduced
  - climb - not possible
- In flight collision with object, other
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush

## Analysis

WHILE APCHG TO LAND, THE REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHICH EXCEEDED ITS CLIMB PERFORMANCE. THE ACFT WAS HEADED TWD POWER LINES, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY UNDER THE LINES. AS THE ULTRALIGHT WAS CROSSING UNDER THE POWER LINES, ONE OF ITS VERTICAL FINS HIT THE BOTTOM CABLE WHICH DISABLED THE ACFT'S LEFT RUDDER CONTROL. THE ACFT TURNED TO THE RGT TWD A HILL & WOULD NOT CLIMB SUFFICIENTLY TO CLEAR OVER TREES. THE PLT INTENTIONALLY ALLOWED THE ACFT TO MUSH INTO THE TREES WHILE HE STILL HAD CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N548YA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N548YA-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 600134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOE ALMON FALCON XP
- Registry model: [Almon Joe FALCON XP](https://openairdocs.org/model/almon-joe-falcon-xp) (registry code 05658PR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 600134
- Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry D. Wilkinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1985, 9 hours before
- Airport: Private, runway 18, 2,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 125 total, 3 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM

## 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 19860901043039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860901043039A), Sep 1, 1986: Amtrat FALCONXP, Mt Olive, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot encountered a downdraft on final and struck wires. The aircraft was then unable to clear a hill.

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.

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