# NTSB NYC95LA024: Alon A-2, N888JL, Goode, VA, November 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 1994, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Goode, VA - Coordinates: 37.359985, -79.379798 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3600&lon=-79.3798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38898/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA024 ## Probable cause the inadequate preflight by the pilot, resulting in engine failure due to water ingestion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE PILOT AND HER HUSBAND FLEW THE AIRPLANE THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT FROM ONE AIRPORT TO ANOTHER. THE PILOT PREFLIGHTED THE AIRPLANE AGAIN THAT AFTERNOON AND DEPARTED ON A SOLO FLIGHT. DURING THE CLIMB OUT, ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE TOTALLY LOST POWER, WITHOUT ANY PRELIMINARY SPUTTERING OR WARNING. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD AND STRUCK TREES DURING THE DESCENT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT WATER HAD BEEN FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED WATER AND RUST IN THE FUEL PUMP AND CARBURETOR. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 1994, at 1325 eastern daylight time, an Aircoupe A-2, N888JL, owned by David E. Miller and piloted by Anne Miller, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from a private airstrip (VA91), in Goode, Virginia. The pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that she and her husband flew N888JL that morning from VA91, to the Forest Airport (W90), 5 miles away, and then returned to VA91. She further stated: "...I preflighted the plane again at approximately 1315 in preparation to fly...I started my takeoff roll at approximately 1330. Everything was normal, lifted off and climbed about 150 feet when the engine totally lost power all at once, no sputtering. I was over the end of the runway. I turned toward a small field left of the runway...I was too high to land in the field...and was trying to make the next field when I hit...the trees on the edge of the field...The plane was refueled on November 12 at W90..." According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector's report, he stated: "...Indications were that the propeller was not rotating on impact. Witnesses and owner stated that water had been found in fuel system since the aircraft was purchased two months prior. Owner and mechanic felt that they had finally removed all water from system...The fuel pump and carburetor were removed on site ...Water, water traces and rust were found in the fuel pump and carburetor..." END OF REPORT - NOTHING FOLLOWS ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888JL-1998-01-27), registration cancelled 1998-01-27, S/N A63 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Alon A-2 - Registry model: [Alon A2](https://openairdocs.org/model/alon-a2) (registry code 0540102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A-63 - Airframe hours: 2667 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David E. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1994, 23 hours before - Departed: 91VA - Destination: W90, FOREST, VA - Airport: 91VA, Miller, runway 23, 1,860 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 422 total, 18 in this make and model, 293 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ROA, 15 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 19941113038169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941113038169A), Nov 13, 1994: Univar A2AALON, Bedford, VA, Substantial damage. During climbout engine quit. Struck trees landing. Inadequate fuel sumping. Water rust in carb. Prior water in fuel 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.