# NTSB WPR12CA330: Alon A2, N5486E, Compton, CA, July 28, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2012, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Compton, CA - Coordinates: 33.88972, -118.210281 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8897&lon=-118.2103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84482 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84482/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84482 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA330 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Alon A2, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Alon A2, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Alon A2, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated immediately after the accident that during the landing flare, after he had reduced the power, the airplane ballooned with increasing oscillations and veered left off the runway. He applied left rudder to avoid another taxiing airplane and impacted a row of hangars. In a subsequent written statement, the pilot indicated that his right foot got caught between the rudder pedal and the control column cover during landing. In the process of freeing his foot, the airplane pitched up and down and veered off the runway; he “jammed” the left rudder to avoid a taxiing airplane, and the right wing of his airplane impacted a row of hangars. There were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator immediately after the accident that he had pulled off the power, and during the landing flare, the airplane ballooned with increasing oscillations veering left off the runway. He applied left rudder to avoid another taxing airplane, and impacted a row of hangars. In a following written statement the pilot stated that during landing his right foot got caught between the rudder pedal and the control column cover. In the process of freeing his foot the airplane pitched up and down, veered off the runway, he applied left rudder to avoid a taxiing airplane, and impacted a row of hangars. The pilot stated that he airplane and engine had no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5486E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5486E-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N A-20 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALON A2 - Registry model: [Alon A2](https://openairdocs.org/model/alon-a2) (registry code 0540102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200a) (registry code 17404, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A-20 - Airframe hours: 1401 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Reusch Theodore A - Registered owner: Reusch Theodore A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2012 - Departed: KBNG, Banning, CA - Destination: KCPM, Compton, CA - Airport: KCPM, Compton/Woodley Airport, runway 25L ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 4,557 total, 102 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KHHR, 5 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 20120728016679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120728016679A), Jul 28, 2012: Alon A2, Compton, CA, Destroyed. Upon landing, the pilot's right foot became caught between the right rudder pedal and the control colum cover. As a result the airman was unable to move his… ## Other investigations on N5486E (2) 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. - [NTSB NYC72FKM11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FKM11), Oct 8, 1971: Alon A-2 (N5486E), Hickory, NC, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA67D0088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67D0088), Jul 23, 1966: Alon A-2 (N5486E), Washington, NC, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 13, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84482. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 937 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376785&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.