# NTSB SEA95FA136: Alon Aircoupe A-2, N718RS, Cody, WY, July 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1995, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Cody, WY - Coordinates: 44.509567, -109.050689 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5096&lon=-109.0507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42057 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95FA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42057/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95FA136 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING TO REVERSE COURSE. A FACTOR WAS THE DOWNDRAFTS ENCOUNTERED IN THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. ## Analysis THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING IN LEAD POSITION WITH TWO OTHER AIRCRAFT IN TRAIL. THE PILOTS WERE FOLLOWING A HIGHWAY TOWARD A MOUNTAIN PASS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT OF THE SECOND AIRCRAFT, DOWNDRAFTS WERE ENCOUNTERED, AND THE PILOTS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED COURSE REVERSAL. THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT DECLARED ON THE RADIO BEFORE CRASHING THAT HE COULDN'T GAIN ALTITUDE. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 4, 1995, approximately 1150 mountain daylight time, an Alon A-2 Aircoupe, N718RS, collided with trees while attempting to reverse course in a mountain canyon about 55 miles west of Cody, Wyoming. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed. The aircraft, which was part of a three ship personal pleasure flight, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. The three aircraft departed Cody, Wyoming about 55 minutes earlier, and were en route to Butte, Montana. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT was reported to have transmitted for about one minute after the impact. According to the other pilots in the flight, all three aircraft were attempting to fly over Sylvan Pass, about 10 miles west of the east gate of Yellowstone National Park. As they approached the pass, the lead aircraft began to lose altitude in the downdrafts they were beginning to encounter on the leeward side of the pass. The first two aircraft were in the process of reversing course when the lead aircraft impacted the trees. The pilot of the aircraft immediately in trail behind the accident aircraft stated that N718RS had turned to follow the road toward the pass. At that time, he lost sight of the aircraft. The third aircraft was about 1 to 2 miles in trail behind the second aircraft. The pilot of the second aircraft noted that terrain in the area was rising rapidly and he checked his altitude at about 8500 to 8600 feet. The accident aircraft was at about the same altitude, but was appearing to descend at a fairly rapid rate. From his position, it appeared that the accident aircraft was losing a safe margin above the terrain and he called over the radio for the pilot to turn around. The pilot of the second aircraft stated that "I saw his plane appear to enter a high angle of attack as a lot of the upper wing surface became visible. About the same time, [the pilot] transmitted in a stressed voice 'I can't get it up.' Seconds later I saw the left wing drop as if entering a left turn, which is the way he should be turning to exit the area." The pilot of the second aircraft did not see the impact, but spotted smoke, and heard the ELT for about a minute. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The wreckage was found in coniferous trees, inverted, with the fuselage centerline axis on a magnetic heading of 220 degrees. The left wing was positioned on top of a felled 100 foot tree, which had its axis oriented with its top on a heading of 150 degrees. The empennage was separated and was a few feet from the fuselage. The cabin area was burned, and the inboard sections of the main spars were melted away. The left aileron push tube was intact to the aileron, but was separated in the cabin. The right aileron push tube was intact to the aileron attach point, but the aileron was melted near the attach point. Elevator cables had continuity from the cabin to the elevator. The rudder cables had continuity from the aft cabin area to the rudders. All elevator, aileron and rudder hinges were intact. The elevator trim tab was bound in a full up position. One propeller blade was bent aft 60 degrees about ten inches from the hub, with spanwise scars. The second propeller blade was straight to the outboard ten inches, which was bent aft about 20 degrees, and was twisted with S curving and light chordwise scratching. Both propeller blades exhibited twisting. Oil was found in the engine. The spark plugs appeared serviceable. Both magnetos were melted and did not spark. The crankshaft was rotatable, and full valve train continuity was established. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was conducted on the pilot at West Park Hospital Morgue, Cody, Wyoming on July 5, 1995, by Dr. Lee K. Hermann. Toxicological testing was conducted by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, with negative results. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to the Lake District Ranger on July 5, 1995, while it remained on site. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N718RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N718RS-1997-01-21), registration cancelled 1997-01-21, S/N A82 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALON AIRCOUPE A-2 (AIRCOUPE A) - Registry model: [Alon A2](https://openairdocs.org/model/alon-a2) (registry code 0540102) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A-82 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-16F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Watkins, Kirt B. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: COD, WY - Destination: MSO, MISSOULA, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 875 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 25 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F ## 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 19950704016049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950704016049A), Jul 4, 1995: Univar A2AALON, Cody, WY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flight of three. Lead plane encountered sever turbulence and downdrafts. Two made 180 escape. Other unabel recover. 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.