# Accident 20030108001869A: Slinds 100ACMDR, Geneva, AL, January 8, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 8, 2003, 10:20 local time
- Place: Geneva, AL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 31.0553° N, 85.8803° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0553&lon=-85.8803&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3628X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3628X-2005-01-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aero Commander 100 (registry code 0140202, https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SLINDS 100ACMDR
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL03LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA032) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030108001869A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON JANUARY 8, 2003 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM CST N3628X VEERED OFF A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP (3500') AND STRUCK SEVERAL TREES DURING TAKE-OFF. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT STATED HE ATTEMPTED TAKE-OFF BUT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO FLIGHT CONTROL INPUTS. HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKE-OFF WITH 400' OF REMAINING RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT VEERED RIGHT INTO SEVERAL TREES ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. INSPECTORS, ON-SITE INVESTIGATION, REVEALED THE ELEVATOR TRIM CONTROL SURFACE WAS IN THE NOSE DOWN POSITION WHICH WOULD HAVE REQUIRED SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PULL PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL YOKE TO ACHIEVE ELEVATOR MOVEMENT AND AIRCRAFT DEPARTURE. (.19) ON JANUARY 8, 2003, AT 1020 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME, AN AERO COMMANDER 100, N3628X, REGISTERED TO AND OWNED BY THE PILOT, COLLIDED WITH TREES ADJACENT TO THE EAST RUNWAY AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR GENEVA, ALABAMA. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91 WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED. VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS NO                                                 T INJURED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF FROM THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP IN GENEVA, ALABAMA. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, RECENT MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON THE AIRPLANE IN GENEVA, AND THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO REPOSITION THE AIRPLANE TO HIS HOME IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. AS THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED DOWN THE RUNWAY DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB AND HE COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY. WHEN THE PILOT ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A STAND OF TREES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

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 ATL03LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA032), Jan 8, 2003: Aero Commander 100 (N3628X), Geneva, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to achieve takeoff due to a mistrimmed elevator, and his failure to maintain directional control.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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