# NTSB ATL85LA037: Aero Commander 500, N6268B, Florence, SC, November 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1984, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Florence, SC
- Coordinates: 34.180786, -79.779464 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1808&lon=-79.7795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fuel system,strainer - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel dumped - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - object - runway light

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY AFTER BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER ON THE BASE LEG. TH ACFT HIT ABOUT 200 FT SHORT OF THE RWY AND SLID THROUGH THE FENCE ONTO THE RWY DESTROYING ABOUT 4 RWY LIGHTS. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT FUEL STRAINER DRAIN WAS OPEN AND ONLY ABOUT 1 CUP OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM. THE PLT SAID THAT THE ACFT HAD 5 HOURS FUEL ON BOARD AT TAKEOFF FOR THE 3 HOUR FLT. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FUEL GAGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE THEY FOUND 2 OPEN BEER CANS ON THE FLOOR OF THE COCKPIT. NO TOXICOLOGY EXAM WAS CONDUCTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6268B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 500
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 812
- Airframe hours: 3755
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mew Rover Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 24, 1983, 120 hours before
- Departed: STAUNTON, VA
- Airport: Florence Co., runway 9, 6,449 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,703 total, 110 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLO

## 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 19841117062449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841117062449A), Nov 17, 1984: Gulstm 500RKWELL, Florence, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot left fuel strainer valve in the open position. Fuel starvation, both engines quit, emergency landing.

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.