# NTSB ATL03LA032: Aero Commander 100, N3628X, Geneva, AL, January 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 8, 2003, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Geneva, AL - Coordinates: 31.055276, -85.880279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0553&lon=-85.8803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56328 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56328/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56328 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA032 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to achieve takeoff due to a mistrimmed elevator, and his failure to maintain directional control. ## Analysis The accident occurred during the initial takeoff from a private grass airstrip in Geneva, Alabama. According to the pilot, as the airplane accelerated down the runway during the attempted takeoff, the airplane would not climb and he could not explain why. According to the pilot, he elected to abort the takeoff with approximately 400 feet of runway remaining. When the pilot elected to abort the takeoff, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and collided with trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator trim was observed in the full nose down position. The right wing was damaged at the root and the right wing spar was bent. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties prior to the accident. According to the pilot's operating handbook the pre-takeoff checklist requires the elevator trim be set for takeoff. ## Factual narrative 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. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff from the private airstrip in 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 not injured. The local flight departed Geneva, Alabama, on January 8, 2003 at 1019. 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. The pilot stated that he preflight the airplane and performed a run up. The pilot taxied the airplane to the north departure end of the private grass airstrip. The pilot stated that the grass airstrip was approximately 2600 feet long. As the airplane accelerated down the runway during the attempted takeoff, the pilot said the airplane became airborne for a few seconds but would not climb and he could not explain why. According to the pilot, while still airborne he elected to abort take off. The airplane touched down on the runway with approximately 400 feet of runway remaining. During landing roll the airplane veered to the left, and the pilot applied full power. The airplane then veered to the right and rolled off the right side of the runway and collided with trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator trim was observed in the full nose down position. According to the pilot's operating handbook the pre-takeoff checklist requires the elevator trim set for takeoff. The right wing was damaged at the root and the right wing spar was bent. The right vertical stabilizer was damaged. During the on scene investigation the pilot stated that the airplane was developing full power. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - elevator trim - inadequate, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3628X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3628X-2005-01-20), registration cancelled 2005-01-20, S/N 356, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 100 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (registry code 0140202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 356 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2003, 1 hours before - Departed: Geneva, AL - Destination: 82J, Pensacola, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 30, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 435 total, 377 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: DHN, 32 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 20030108001869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030108001869A), Jan 8, 2003: Slinds 100ACMDR, Geneva, AL, Substantial damage. (-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… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56328. 288 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.