# NTSB CHI72DET24: Alon A-2, N6557Q, Mentone, IN, April 16, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 16, 1972
- Place: Mentone, IN · MENTONE, IN
- Location: 41.1738° N, 86.0384° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mentone, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1738&lon=-86.0384&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 166365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI72DET24
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DET24

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1479  72/4/16    MENTONE,IND         ALON A-2            CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1530                    N6557Q              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 50, 1834 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            19 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MENTONE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MENTONE,IND                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: WET RUNWAY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  2000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     RIGHT CROSS WIND 068-112 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           65                                                      250
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           10                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- GUSTING TO 20K.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6557Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6557Q), registered now, S/N A-57, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALON A-2
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Mentone

## Other investigations on N6557Q (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 CEN25LA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA264), Jul 20, 2025: Alon A2 (N6557Q), Pipestone, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left brake to release due to corrosion and pitting of the caliper piston and bore, which resulted in a runway excursion.

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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