Alon A-2A accident near Helena, Montana, August 20, 2005
On August 20, 2005 at about 1:50 pm local time, a Alon A-2A, registered N5467F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Helena, Montana (Helena Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and nose over. A factor contributing to the accident was the ground bordering the runway pavement.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2005 · about 1:50 pm local time
- Place
- Helena, Montana · Helena Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Alon A-2A · all A-2As on the register
- Registration
- N5467F · no longer on the register · serial B-267
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After taking off on Runway 27 (9,000 feet X 150 feet) and climbing to an altitude of between 100 and 150 feet above ground level, the engine began to run rough. The pilot applied carburetor heat, which resulted in a further loss of engine rpm, prompting the pilot to make a left turn for a landing on Runway 9. The airplane touched down on the pavement near the departure end of Runway 27, bounced once and contacted the pavement a second time. The airplane then rolled about 10 to 15 feet before exiting the runway surface and impacting a grassy dirt surface, which resulted in the nose gear collapsing and the airplane nosing over, coming to rest in an inverted position. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 191 hours in all; 156 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 152 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,084 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2004; 14 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C90-16F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HLN Helena MT at 1:48 pm
- Destination: HLN Helena MT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 9,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from HLN, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.