# NTSB WPR22LA050: Alon A2, N989T, Frazier Park, CA, November 24, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 24, 2021, 23:33 UTC - Place: Frazier Park, CA - Coordinates: 34.818193, -118.94436 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8182&lon=-118.9444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104330 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104330/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104330 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA050 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach for landing which, resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alon A2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Alon A2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0540102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a cross-country flight, he was concerned with the low fuel status and determined he would not have enough fuel to continue to the intended destination. He looked for a place to land and while approaching a small valley, he noticed a private, 25-foot-wide airstrip and opted to perform a precautionary landing. He circled the airstrip and while on the approach and trying to keep the airspeed as slow as possible the airplane stalled. The left wing collided with the ground and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N989T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N989T-2023-09-25), registration cancelled 2023-09-25, S/N A-87 (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-87 - Year built: 1966 - Engines: Continental Motors C90 95 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PRB, Paso Robles, CA - Destination: SZP, Santa Paula, CA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 85; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KBFL, 37 nm away - METAR: KBFL 242354Z 30006KT 7SM CLR 16/00 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP223 T01610000 10167 20133 53007 ## 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 20211124021979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211124021979A), Nov 24, 2021: Alon A2, Frazier Park, CA, Substantial damage. Due to unexpected low fuel level indication, the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in a field. On approach the pilot kept the airspeed slow due to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 19, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104330. 933 KB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 6 pages, 663 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13812057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13811504&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Rel.pdf - Picture of wreckage (provided by the sheriff) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13811947&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z-%20Attachment%2002%20-Photos-Rel.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.