# NTSB CEN11CA503: Aero Commander 100, N3656X, Llano, TX, July 20, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2011, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Llano, TX - Coordinates: 30.784444, -98.660278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7844&lon=-98.6603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA503 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81217/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81217 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA503 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor and his student were practicing takeoffs and landings for approximately an hour. After taking a break, they continued the practice session. The pilot said that the airplane was configured properly for the landing; however, he failed to attain the proper touchdown point, and the airplane impacted a tire used to mark the approach end of the runway. The airplane bounced, yawed right, exited the runway, and collided with nearby trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and tail section. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane and said he should have selected a touchdown point further down the runway which would have allowed more room for error. ## Factual narrative The private rated pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) had practiced take-off and landings for approximately an hour. After a break, the take-off and landing practice resumed. The private pilot reported that as they approached the runway for a landing, the airplane was properly trimmed for the approach; however, the airplane touched down before they expected it to. The airplane impacted a tire used to mark the end of the runway; the airplane then bounced and yawed right. The private pilot and CFI were unable to regain control of the airplane before it exited the runway and collided with nearby trees. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the airplane and said he should have selected a touchdown point further down the runway which would have allowed more room for error. Examination of the airplane revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage, wings, and tail section during the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3656X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3656X-2011-08-22), registration cancelled 2011-08-22, S/N 309, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (registry code 0140202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 309 - Airframe hours: 714 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 2010 - Departed: AQO, LLano, TX - Destination: AQO, LLano, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: AQO, Llano Municipal Airport, runway 13, 3,240 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 9 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 70; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 2,680 total, 9 in this make and model, 2,360 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KAQO ## 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 20110720014749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110720014749A), Jul 20, 2011: Aero Commander 100, Llano, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot had 10 hours in aircraft, just purchased. Hired flight instructor for check out, performing to/go at the grass strip in Llano, both pilot and flight… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81217. 518 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 491 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353542&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.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.