# NTSB WPR12CA095: Alon A2, N5687F, Forks, WA, February 4, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 4, 2012, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Forks, WA - Coordinates: 47.937778, -124.392776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9378&lon=-124.3928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 2, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 82835 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82835/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82835 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect placement of the throttle prior to starting the airplane by hand. Contributing to the accident was that the pilot did not ensure that the airplane was restrained in a manner that would keep it from moving forward. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Alon A2, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot planned on starting his airplane by turning the propeller by hand, because the airplane’s battery was dead. After loading his passenger, he set the throttle and the parking brake, but he elected not to tie down the airplane or place chocks in front of its wheels. When he pulled the propeller through, the engine started immediately as he intended. However, he had placed the throttle in a position that resulted in a higher rpm than he expected. Due to the high rpm, the parking brake was unable to hold the airplane in position, and it started rolling forward with only the passenger inside. The pilot attempted to reenter the airplane, but he was unable to do so. Although the passenger was able to steer the airplane along the taxiway, she did not know how to stop it, and it eventually went through a fence and over an embankment. During the accident sequence, the fuselage and the wings were substantially damaged. According to the pilot, there were no malfunctions or anomalies with the parking brake system or the throttle mechanism. ## Factual narrative The pilot, who due to a dead battery, planned on starting his airplane by hand-propping it. After loading his passenger, he set the throttle and the parking brake, but he elected not to tie the airplane down or place chocks in front of its wheels. When he pulled the propeller through, the engine started right up as he intended, but he had placed the throttle in a position that resulted in a higher RPM than he had expected. Due to the high RPM, the parking brake was unable to hold the airplane in position and it therefore started rolling forward with only the passenger inside. Although the pilot attempted to reenter the airplane, he was unable to do so. While the passenger was able to steer the airplane along the taxiway, she did not know how to stop it, and it eventually went through a fence and over an embankment. During the accident sequence both the fuselage and the wings were substantially damaged. According to the pilot, there was no malfunction or anomaly related to the parking brake system or the throttle mechanism. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5687F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5687F-2012-05-22), registration cancelled 2012-05-22, S/N A-187, 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-187 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robinson David E - Registered owner: Robinson David E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: S18, Forks, WA - Destination: KFHR, Friday Harbor, WA - Airport: S18, Forks Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 4, 2010; flight hours: 916 total, 482 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °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 20120204001289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120204001289A), Feb 4, 2012: Alon A2, Forks, WA, Substantial damage. The pilot pulled the aircraft out of his hangar for a flight to Friday harbor (fhr). With his wife onboard he attempted to start the aircraft but the battery… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82835. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363167&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.