Alon A2 N6374V

Summary

On 21 March 2004 at about 20:10 local time, a Alon A2 registered N6374V was involved in an accident near Cameron Park, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 March 2004 at 20:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Cameron Park, California, United States

Nearest airport

Cameron Airpark (O61)

Coordinates

38.6694, -120.9700

Aircraft

Alon A2

Registration

N6374V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cameron Park → Columbia

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04FA168

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing, which resulted in a stall/spin. Also causal was the partial loss of engine power due to improperly secured magnetos.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with the ground while maneuvering for a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb. A pilot who had taken off immediately following the accident airplane heard the pilot say on the common traffic radio frequency: "seven four Victor starting a left turn to return to the airport." A ground witness saw the airplane flying slowly with the engine making a very low constant humming sound. Initially, the airplane's wings and nose were level with the horizon. Suddenly, the airplane turned left. The nose went "straight down" and the airplane rapidly descended while reversing course. The airplane collided with the ground in a nose down attitude and was destroyed. The engine had been operated about 54 hours since receiving a major overhaul. According to logbook records, the pilot had performed the last maintenance on the airplane about 3.1 operational hours prior to the accident flight. In part, the maintenance consisted of changing the oil and filter. During the post impact wreckage examination, both of the engine's magnetos were found with finger tight mounting bolts. Evidence was observed of the magnetos having worked back and forth on their mounts through their adjustment range. No other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified. Fuel was found in the pump, lines, and carburetor, and a significant quantity spilled from the ruptured fuel tanks.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.