# NTSB CHI92LA273: Alon 415-A2, N6555Q, Sabetha, KS, September 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1992, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Sabetha, KS
- Coordinates: 39.900348, -95.790534 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9003&lon=-95.7905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA273

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A CRUISE DESCENT TOWARD THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. SHORTLY AFTER REDUCING POWER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AND THEN STOPPED RUNNING AS THE AIRPLANE REACHED THE PILOT'S PREDETERMINED LOWER ALTITUDE.  THE AIRPLANE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD OF MILO CROPS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 FEET NORTH OF THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY.  SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PILOT DID NOT APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT BEFORE REDUCING THE AIRPLANE'S POWER AT THE START OF THE DESCENT.  AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE HAD APPROXIMATELY HALF ITS NORMAL FUEL LOAD.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATING ON AUTO GAS WITHOUT AN STC.  THE PILOT CONFIRMED THIS AND SAID HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE AN AUTO GAS STC.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OUT OF ITS REQUIRED 14 CFR PART 91 ANNUAL INSPECTION BY THREE YEARS.  THE NEAREST FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION CERTIFIED WEATHER REPORTING STATION WAS 57 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE.  THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT FOR THAT LOCATION WAS 65 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND 49 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT RESPECTIVELY.  THESE CONDITIONS ARE CONDUCIVE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6555Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6555Q), registered now, S/N A-55, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALON 415-A2
- 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: A55
- Airframe hours: 808
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Grant City Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Grant City Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1988, 47 hours before
- Departed: RLA, GRANT CITY, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 350 in this make and model, 355 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOP, 57 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 19920911036399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920911036399A), Sep 11, 1992: Univar A2ALON, Sabetha, KS, Substantial damage. Lost power on approach to destination. Crashed short. Carb heat not used. No license, medical biennial or annual.

## Other investigations on N6555Q (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 MKC77DCG44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77DCG44), Jul 29, 1977: Alon A2 (N6555Q), Grant City, MO, substantial damage

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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