# NTSB ATL84LA021: Aero Commander 100-180, N4006X, Bardstown, KY, October 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1983, 10:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Bardstown, KY
- Coordinates: 37.810508, -85.459335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8105&lon=-85.4593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA021

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, dual student (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE CFI STATED THAT THE STUDENT PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT. THEY CLIMBED TO 3,000 FT & WERE PRACTICING BASIC INSTRUMENT MANEUVERS WHEN A POWER LOSS OCCURRED. AFTER MANEUVERING TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS, THEN S-TURNING TO DISSIPATE ALTITUDE, THECFI STALLED THE ACFT ABOUT 15 FT AGL & SHORT OF THE INTENDED FIELD. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE CFI COLLECTED NEARLY A QUART OF WATER FROM THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THE CFI STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD A HISTROY OF COLLECTING WATER IN THE (USUALLY LEFT) FUEL TANK. THE ACFT WAS LAST REFUELED ABOUT 1 WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, & HAD BEEN OUTSIDE EXPOSED TO SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN IN THE INTERIM. DESPITE THE HISTORY OF WATER-IN-FUEL PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT, THE CFI DID NOT CHECK THE TANKS FOR WATER AFTER THE HEAVY RAIN. THE ACFT'S TYPE-CERTIFICATE HOLDER REPORTED THAT THE TOP OF THE FILLER NECK, WHICH IS ABOVE THE WING SURFACE, SHOULD PRECLUDE FLUID IN THE SCUPPER FROM ENTERING THE FILLER NECK. THE BOTTOM OF THE FILLER NECK, HOWEVER, IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK TOP BY 6 BOLTS & SEALED WITH A GASKET AT THE ATTACHMENT POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4006X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4006X-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 5106, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100-180
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5106
- Airframe hours: 1171
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerial Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1983, 30 hours before
- Departed: BRY
- Airport: BRY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,072 total, 189 in this make and model, 989 as pilot in command, 187 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU, 26 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 19831015054559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831015054559A), Oct 15, 1983: Slinds 100180, Bardstown, KY, Substantial damage. Engine quit shortly after takeoff. Stall landed in muddy field. Nosed over. Water entered fuel from vented fuel cap

## Other investigations on N4006X (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 IAD78FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FA105), Sep 2, 1978: Aero Comdr 100 (N4006X), Louisville, KY, minor damage, 2 fatal

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.

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