# NTSB MKC90LA001: Alon Aircoupe, Greers Ferry, AR, October 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1989, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Greers Ferry, AR
- Coordinates: 35.559448, -92.200286 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5594&lon=-92.2003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34888/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA001

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF PERFORMANCE DATA WHICH RESULTED IN THE INABILITY TO GAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - initial climb
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PVT PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM A PASTURE FARM FIELD OF ABOUT 1200 FEET IN LENGTH. HE BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER ABOUT 950 FEET, ATTAINED ABOUT 30 FEET OF ALTITUDE, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED ONCE, BOUNCED, THEN LIFTED OFF AGAIN, FOLLOWED BY A VIOLENT DESCENT. THE ACFT STRUCK A LAND FILL THEN CAREENED INTO SOME METAL BARN TRUSSES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGODM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ALON AIRCOUPE
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A213
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barton, Bill
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: HBZ, HEBER SPRINGS, AR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 340 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Observed at: LIT, 50 nm away

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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