# NTSB LAX83LA379: Alon A2, N6512Q, Afton, CA, August 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1983, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Afton, CA
- Coordinates: 39.410297, -122.040145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4103&lon=-122.0401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA379
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA379

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION MISSION, THE PASSENGER BECAME ILL, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A HARD-PACKED STRIP ACROSS A PLOWED FIELD. AFTER LANDING, HE WALKED OVER THE AREA. EXCEPT FOR A RUT AT ABOUT MIDFIELD, HE PERCEIVED THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM IN TAKING OFF AGAIN. HE DECIDED TO STAY TO THE LEFT WHILE IN THE VICINITY OF THE RUT DURING THE TAKEOFF. ALSO, THE PLT SELECTED A 'POINT-OF-NO-RETURN' & AN ABORT POINT. A SHORT TIME LATER, HE BEGAN THE TAKEOFF USING SOFT FIELD PROCEDURES. HOWEVER, WHEN HE REACHED HIS ABORT POINT, THE AIRSPEED WAS DECREASING, INSTEAD OF INCREASING. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A LEVEL AT THE END OF THE FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6512Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6512Q), registered now, S/N A-112, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALON 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: A-112
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jess T. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1983, 45 hours before
- Departed: WLW, WILLOWS, CA
- Airport: runway 2, 1,500 × 25 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 415 total, 350 in this make and model, 384 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV, 41 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 19830809043669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830809043669A), Aug 9, 1983: Univar A2AALON, Afton, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot aborted takeoff and aircraft crashed into levee during attempt to take off from unimproved field.

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.