# NTSB FTW99LA231: Alon A-2A, N5465F, Cabot, AR, August 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 1999, 19:05 local (Aug 22, 1999, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Cabot, AR - Coordinates: 34.960247, -92.020843 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9602&lon=-92.0208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47136/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA231 ## Probable cause The missing engine oil filler cap which resulted in the loss of engine power as a result of oil starvation. Factors were the pilot's improper aircraft preflight inspection and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - lubricating system,oil filler cap - missing (cause) - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fluid,oil - leak - fluid,oil - starvation - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to turning on final approach to land, the engine lost power. During the emergency landing in a field of tall grass, the airplane's tail struck a levee and the left wing struck the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine oil dipstick and cap assembly was not installed, and the forward left side of the fuselage and the windshield were covered in oil. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 1999, at 1905 central daylight time, an Alon A-2A single-engine airplane, N5465F, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on approach to the Odom Field Airport near Cabot, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to the Criswell Corporation of Wilmington, Delaware, and operated by a private individual. The private pilot sustained a minor injury when exiting the airplane and his only passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local personal flight. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) and a telephone interview by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that prior to turning for final approach to runway 27, the engine lost power. He turned the airplane south toward an open field with levees and tall grass. During the landing roll, after about 100 feet, the pilot applied left rudder and the nose landing gear "locked up." The airplane "stood up on its nose," rotated 180 degrees, and came down on its right wing. The left wing then struck the ground, and the tail impacted a levee. Subsequently, the airplane rolled back onto its tail and came to rest upright. According to an FAA inspector, when he arrived at the scene, the airplane was mounted on a trailer located in the pilot's hanger. While performing a walk-around, the inspector opened the access door on the engine cowl, and "noticed that there wasn't an oil dipstick and cap assembly." The inspector reported that the airplane's windshield and the forward left side of the fuselage were covered with oil. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5465F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5465F-2000-03-06), registration cancelled 2000-03-06, S/N B-265 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Alon A-2A - Registry model: [Alon A-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/alon-a-2a) (registry code 0540104) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: B265 - Airframe hours: 2668 - Engines: Continental C-90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Maxie R. Criswell - Registered owner: The Criswell Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1999, 6 hours before - Departed: AR28 - Airport: NONE, Red Oak Airpark, runway 27 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19990821043119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990821043119A), Aug 21, 1999: Cabot, AR, No damage. (-23) On August 21, 1999 at 19:08 pm CDT, a single engine a/c, model Mooney A2A, alon-415-A2A, N5465F, operated and registered to criswell corporation. The… 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.