# NTSB FTW88DRD20: Alon A2A, N5626F, New Orleans, LA, August 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1988, 18:59 local (23:59 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 30.020181, -90.020301 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0202&lon=-90.0203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRD20
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD20

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

THE HIGHLY MODIFIED AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED IN A NEAR VERTICAL DIVE BEFORE IT IMPACTED INTO A MARSH. NO MECHANICAL OR MEDICAL REASONS WERE FOUND FOR THE CRASH. ALTHOUGH TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS INDICATED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .11%, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF POSTMORTEM DECOMPOSITION, INVALIDATING THE RESULT. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT, REPORTEDLY, WAS TO PERFORM AEROBATIC MANEUVERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5626F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5626F-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N A-226, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALON A2A
- 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: A226
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph A. Molinary
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: NEW, Lakefront

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 10 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 19880824038189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880824038189A), Aug 24, 1988: Univar A2AALON, New Orleans, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Vertical impact into a swamp. Pilot had departed to practice acrobatics for an airshow. Alcohol noted in autopsy.

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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