# NTSB ATL89FA054: Aero Commander 720, N120G, Alcoa, TN, December 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1988, 06:00 local (11:00 UTC)
- Place: Alcoa, TN
- Coordinates: 35.790412, -83.969978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7904&lon=-83.9700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - 1 engine
  - induction air control/system - ice (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, missed approach (ifr)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER ENCOUNTERING ICING CONDITIONS IN FLIGHT AND EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS MAINTAINING ALTITUDES AND HEADINGS, THE PILOT ELECTED TO DIVERT FROM HIS PLANNED DESTINATION OF DAYTON, OH TO KNOXVILLE, TN. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH AFTER DESCENDING 1300 FT BELOW MINIMUM PROCEDURE TURN ALTITUDE FOLLOWED BY BEING TOLD THE AIRCRAFT WAS WELL ABOVE THE GLIDESLOPE, ATC INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN 3000 FT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, ATC REPORTED THE MODE C INDICATED 1900. THE PILOT RESPONDED WITH 'ENGINE QUIT'. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A PASTURE ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED TO OPERATE IN ICING CONDITIONS. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FLAPS AND LANDING GEAR WERE EXTENDED. APPROXIMATELY 40 LBS OF COCAINE WERE FOUND ONBOARD THE AIRCRAFT. THE TOX REPORT FOR THE PILOT DISCLOSED .05 MG/L BENZOYLECGONITE (COCAINE METABOLITE) IN HIS BLOOD. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED A FREEZING LEVEL AT 7000 FT AND FILED A FLIGHT PLAN REQUESTING A CRUISING ALTITUDE OF 14000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N120G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120G-1989-09-13), registration cancelled 1989-09-13, S/N 7206303 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 720
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 720](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-720) (registry code 0141802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 720-630-3
- Engines: LYCOMING GSO-480-B1A6 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Commuter Craft Inc.
- Registered owner: Commuter Craft Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FLL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: TYS, ALCOA, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TYS, Mcghee Tyson, runway 5L, 8,006 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,103 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 30° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 1 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 19881209053319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881209053319A), Dec 9, 1988: Gulstm 720RKWELL, Knoxville, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported ice. Erratic approach low level alert. Crashed on missed approach. Drug test positive.

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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