# NTSB CEN11CA532: Alon A-2A, N5647F, Rolfe, IA, July 31, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2011, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Rolfe, IA - Coordinates: 42.808612, -94.535552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8086&lon=-94.5356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-DSM-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81325 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA532 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81325/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81325 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA532 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to execute a precautionary landing to unsuitable terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Alon A-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=0540104), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=0540104), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Alon A-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=0540104), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Alon A-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0540104), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Alon A-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0540104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot applied carburetor heat twice during the flight to regain engine power. Following the second application of carburetor heat, he was not confident that the engine was producing full power and he elected to make a precautionary landing on a road; however, during the landing approach he noted power lines and a fence bordering the road. The pilot decided the road was not suitable for landing. Concerned that the engine was not performing well enough to execute a go-around, the pilot elected to continue the landing into a nearby cornfield. The airplane contacted the corn crop, a ditch, and a fence during the landing resulting in substantial damage to the wings and firewall. According to the Federal Aviation Administration icing probability chart, the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the engine began to lose power during cruise flight. He applied carburetor heat and engine power was restored. Approximately 5 minutes later, the engine again began to lose power. The pilot applied carburetor heat and the engine power increased; however, the pilot was concerned the engine was not developing full power. He elected to make a precautionary landing on a road, but during the landing approach he noted power lines and a fence bordering the road. The pilot decided the road was not suitable for landing. Concerned that the engine was not performing well enough to execute a go-around, the pilot elected to continue the landing into a nearby cornfield. The airplane contacted the corn crop, a ditch, and a fence during the landing resulting in substantial damage to the wings and firewall. According to the Federal Aviation Administration icing probability chart, with the temperature and dew point, 84 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit respectively, conditions were conducive for carburetor ice at glide and cruise power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5647F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5647F-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N B-247, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALON A-2A - Registry model: [Alon A-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/alon-a-2a) (registry code 0540104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: B-247 - Engines: Continental C90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Howell Jan J - Registered owner: Howell Jan J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2011, 20 hours before - Departed: CCY, Charles City, IA - Destination: CKP, Cherokee, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 7, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,375 total, 300 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: FOD, 25 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 20110731016069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110731016069A), Jul 31, 2011: Alon A-2A, Rolfe, IA, Substantial damage. The airman was traveling from the eaa airventure exposition at oshkosh, WI on 7/31/2011, when he experienced a loss of power with his aircraft. He attempted to… ## Other investigations on N5647F (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC75DCJ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DCJ25), Aug 31, 1974: Alon A2-A (N5647F), Harrisburg, NE, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81325. 779 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 532 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Icing Probability Chart (item 2, .PDF, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Master.PDF 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.