# NTSB BFO89LA039: Aircoupe Alon A2A, N5488F, Sutherland, VA, June 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1989, 20:41 local (Jun 1, 1989, 00:41 UTC)
- Place: Sutherland, VA
- Coordinates: 37.07077, -77.580947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0708&lon=-77.5809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA039

## Probable cause

LOW OUTPUT OF THE MAGNETOS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF FULL POWER DURING THE ATTEMPTED RECOVERY FROM A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT IGNORED INDICATIONS OF AN ENGINE PROBLEM DURING START WHEN THE ENGINE WAS HARD TO START.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
  - ignition system,magneto - output low (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO PREPARE THE STUDENT FOR HIS PVT PILOT CHECKRIDE. THE CFI AND STUDENT WERE PERFORMING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING SPIRAL AND THE STUDENT WAS INSTRUCTED TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND AT 900 FT MSL. WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS ADVANCED TO GO-AROUND THE STUDENT REPORTED TO THE CFI THAT HE COULD NOT GET FULL POWER. THE CFI ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE TO NO AVAIL. THE FORCED LANDING WAS CONTINUED AND AT THE LAST MINUTE THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNED TO AVOID A FARM HOUSE. THE LANDING GEAR CAUGHT A FURROW DURING THE LANDING FLARE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT OPERATE. BOTH MAGNETOS WERE REMOVED AND ONE REPLACEMENT MAGNETO WAS INSTALLED AFTER WHICH THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE MAGNETO COILS WERE 'WEAK'. THE ACFT HAD BEEN OPERATED 72 HOURS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5488F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIRCOUPE ALON A2A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: B288
- Airframe hours: 601
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-16F 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: A. T. Harp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1988, 72 hours before
- Departed: PTB, PETERSBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 850 total, 49 in this make and model, 756 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890531059129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890531059129A), May 31, 1989: Univar A2ALON, Sutherland, VA, Substantial damage. Engine failed to respond to full power after power off spiral. Landed and nosed over in plowed field. Weak magnetos

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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