# NTSB ATL93FA004: Aero Commander 680, N4490, Headland, AL, October 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1992, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Headland, AL
- Coordinates: 31.349073, -85.339431 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3491&lon=-85.3394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8671/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE CONDUCTING A HIGH SPEED TAXI MANEUVER WHICH RESULTED IN INADVERTENT FLIGHT. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY, HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE AND THE WIND GUST.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE OWNER, HE AND THE PILOT HAD FLOWN FROM ALBANY, GEORGIA TO SWAP A PIPER 28 FOR THE AERO COMMANDER 680. PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE TRADE, THE PREVIOUS OWNER RECONSTRUCTED A SET OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE LOGS WHICH REVEALED THE ESTIMATED TOTAL AIRFRAME TIME AND ENGINE SERIAL NUMBERS. THE OWNER ASSUMED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS AIRWORTHY. SINCE THE PILOT WAS NOT AERO COMMANDER RATED, THEY DECIDED TO TAXI THE AIRPLANE ON THE RAMP AND RUNWAY TO GAIN SOME EXPERIENCE. WHILE TAXIING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON RUNWAY 09, THE OWNER REPORTED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRPLANE AS THE TAXI SPEED APPROACHED 65 MPH. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AS IT BECAME AIRBORNE. THE AIRPLANE ROTATED TO THE RIGHT AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND; THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED TO A STOP FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT COMPLETED A PREFLIGHT BUT, THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCOVERED  A LARGE BIRD'S NEST IN THE SUMP AREA OF THE LEFT ENGINE AND A MISSING EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE PILOT WAS NOT MULITIENGINE RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4490](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4490-1995-02-01), registration cancelled 1995-02-01, S/N 680487157 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 680
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 680](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-680) (registry code 0141602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680-487-157
- Airframe hours: 8693
- Engines: LYCOMING GSO-480-B1A6 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Benson, William L.
- Registered owner: Benson, William L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 0J6
- Destination: SYV, SYLVESTER, GA
- Airport: 0J6, Headland Municipal, runway 9, 4,200 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 869 total, 705 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 15 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 19921006041009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921006041009A), Oct 6, 1992: Gulstm 680, Headland, AL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Became airborne on fast taxi test of newly purchased twin. Rolled. Wing hit. Cartwheeled. No MEL or dual in type.

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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