# NTSB CEN09CA433: Aero Commander 680-F, N70QT, Angel Fire, NM, July 11, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2009, 09:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Angel Fire, NM - Coordinates: 36.419723, -105.287223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4197&lon=-105.2872&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA433 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74262/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74262 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA433 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the initial takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0141606), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0141606), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0141606), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0141606), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial rated pilot began his takeoff roll using normal takeoff power and configuration. As the pilot began back pressure on the yoke to start rotation, the airplane began to drift left of the runway centerline. Right rudder was applied and the airplane drift slowed but the control correction was not sufficient and the airplane departed the runway. The pilot still had full power applied and added full right rudder and aileron to avoid several parked aircraft on the apron. The airplane clipped a barbed wire fence as it departed the runway coming to rest upright in a pasture perpendicular to the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed, the nose gear collapsed, the left engine and propeller, and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot and his passenger were uninjured and egressed normally. ## Factual narrative The commercial-rated pilot began his takeoff roll using normal takeoff power and configuration. As the pilot began back pressure on the yoke to start rotation, the airplane began to drift left of the runway centerline. He then applied right rudder and the airplane drift slowed but the control correction was not sufficient and the airplane departed the runway. The pilot still had full power applied and added full right rudder and aileron to avoid several parked aircraft on the apron. The airplane clipped a barbed wire fence as it departed the runway, coming to rest upright in a pasture perpendicular to the runway. The left main landing and nose gear collapsed, and the left engine, propeller, and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot and his passenger were uninjured and egressed normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70QT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70QT-2010-06-22), registration cancelled 2010-06-22, S/N 1208-109, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 680-F - Registry model: [Aero Commander 680-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-680-f) (registry code 0141606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IGSO-540-B1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-igso-540-b1a) (registry code 41535, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1208-109 - Engines: LYCOMING IGSO-540-B1A 380 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IGSO-540-B1A 380 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KAXX, Angel Fire, NM - Destination: KMTJ, Montrose, CO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KAXX, Angel Fire Airport, runway 17, 8,900 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,258 total, 415 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.56 inHg - Observed at: KAXX ## 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 20090711013629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090711013629A), Jul 11, 2009: Gulstm 680F, Angel Fire, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot applied takeoff power, released brakes and started takeoff roll on runway 35 at angle Fire, NM airport (axx). At bottom of white arc, pilot pulled… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74262. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319581&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.