# NTSB CEN13LA237: Alon A2, N6369V, Greenbrier, AR, April 22, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2013, 11:17 local (16:17 UTC) - Place: Greenbrier, AR - Coordinates: 35.177501, -92.334999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1775&lon=-92.3350&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86701/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86701 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA237 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and porpoise. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's limited recent flying experience and proficiency and the challenging runway environment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: recent experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md) - [Workload management: task overload](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064025/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064025/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Alon A2, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Alon A2, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Alon A2, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Alon A2, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a friend, the pilot had not flown regularly for about 20 years. However, the pilot had recently purchased an airplane and passed a biennial flight review. The flight instructor who conducted the flight review recommended to the pilot that he obtain additional flight instruction. The accident pilot then departed the location of the review to ferry the airplane to his home. A witness reported that, once the pilot reached the destination airport, the first two landing attempts were unstable, and the pilot initiated go-arounds each time. During the third landing, the airplane bounced and began to porpoise, and it then departed the left side of the runway and impacted a culvert. The pilot initiated a third go-around, during which, the airplane struck a tree and impacted terrain. A 131-foot ridge was located about 1,000 feet ahead of the approach end of the runway. Further, the runway was relatively narrow (about 40 feet) with a downslope. The combination of these factors created a challenging runway environment. It is likely that the pilot did not properly flare the airplane and then recover from the bounced landing due to his limited recent flying experience and proficiency. ## Factual narrative The accident airplane, an Alon A2 (serial number A-45) was manufactured in 1965. It was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration on a standard airworthiness certificate for normal operations. The airplane had a total time of 3,654 hours as of the last annual inspection, which was completed on November 2, 2012. The airplane was equipped with a Continental C90 series engine. As of the last annual inspection, the engine had accumulated a total of 1,661 hours, with 287 hours since last major overhaul. The Arkavalley Airport, privately owned and managed, is located in a rural area five miles southeast of Greenbrier, Arkansas. The airport has one asphalt north-south runway (36/18), with dimensions of 3,133 by 40 feet. The runway slopes downward from both approach ends toward the center. All three approaches flown by the accident pilot were to Runway 18, which has a 131 foot ridge about 1000 feet from its approach end. Due to this obstruction, a steeper than normal approach angle is required to land on Runway 18. On April 22, 2013, about 1117 central daylight time, an Alon A2 airplane, N6369V, was destroyed after impact with terrain at Arkavalley Airport (12A), Greenbrier, Arkansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which originated from the Dennis F. Cantrell Airport (KCWS), Conway, Arkansas at 1055. According to a witness, the pilot attempted two landings on Runway 18, touching down briefly on each attempt and then performing a go-around. On the third landing attempt, the airplane touched down, bounced, and began to porpoise. About 1000 feet after the first bounce, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and subsequently struck a culvert. As the pilot initiated a go around, the airplane became airborne and impacted a tree to the left of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and a post impact fire ensued, consuming the majority of the airplane. On April 24, 2013, an autopsy was performed on the pilot by a medical examiner at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. The cause of death was attributed to smoke and soot inhalation. The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. The test was negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and tested drugs. The weather station at Little Rock Air Force Base (KLRF), located about 18 miles southeast of the accident site, reported the following conditions at 1158: wind 150 at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 21 degrees Celsius, dew point 8 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 30.14. The pilot, age 81, held a commercial pilot license with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings. On September 21, 2011, the pilot was issued a limited Class 3 limited medical certificate, which required correctivelenses be worn. At the time of exam, the pilot reported a total 1900 flight hours, with zero flight hours in the last six months. According to a friend of the pilot, it has been about 20 years since he had flown regularly. The pilot had recently purchased the accident airplane and traveled to North Carolina to ferry it back to Arkansas. In conjunction with picking up the airplane, the pilot completed a biennial flight review on April 20, 2013 at the Harnett County Airport (KHRJ), Erwin, North Carolina. During this flight review, the flight instructor stated the pilot flew fairly well and safely, but not great. The flight instructor recommended to the pilot that he obtain additional flight instruction after returning to Arkansas. The flight instructor was concerned with the pilot becoming fatigued during his return flights to Arkansas. The flight instructor discussed appropriate rest periods with the pilot, who chose to stop and remain overnight during his return trip. The flight instructor was unaware of the pilot's home airport and there was no discussion of approach/landing considerations at the Arkavalley Airport. The airplane came to rest about 200 feet beyond the tree strike, facing southeast. The majority of the airplane was consumed by fire. Federal Aviation Administration personnel confirmed flight control continuity on scene. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6369V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6369V-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N A-45, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALON A2 (A-45) - Registry model: [Alon A2](https://openairdocs.org/model/alon-a2) (registry code 0540102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A-45 - Airframe hours: 3654 - Engines: Continental C-90 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles Snyder - Registered owner: Charles Snyder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2013 - Departed: KCWS, Conway, AR - Destination: 12A, Greenbrier, AR - Airport: 12A, Arkavalley Airport, runway 18, 3,133 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2013; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,910 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KLRF, 17 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 20130422006059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130422006059A), Apr 22, 2013: Alon A2, Greenbrier, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On April 22, 2013 at 1115 CDT, an Alon aircoupe, N6369V, collided with a tree on landing at arkavalley airpark, Greenbrier, Arkansas, while on a local flight.… ## Other investigations on N6369V (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 DEN71DQA24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71DQA24), Oct 28, 1970: Alon A-2 (N6369V), Los Lunas, NM, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86701. 172 KB in all. - Witness #1 statement (item 1, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20%231%20statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness #2 statement (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20%232%20statement-Redacted.PDF - Correspondence with Flight Instructor (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.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.