# NTSB CEN24LA069: Aero Commander 100, N4104X, Texarkana, AR, December 18, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 18, 2023, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Texarkana, AR - Coordinates: 33.453611, -93.990833 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4536&lon=-93.9908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193544/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193544 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to attempt a go-around with full flaps extended, which resulted in decreased climb performance and led to a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: 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) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); 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 flight instructor, who was at the flight controls, and the student pilot departed runway 31 and entered the left traffic pattern. The instructor reported that during the pattern, he lost situational awareness and aligned the airplane on final approach for runway 4 with full flaps extended. Upon realizing his error, he applied full power and turned right to enter the downwind for runway 31, but he did not retract the flaps. The airplane was unable to climb and impacted a heavily wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4104X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4104X), registered now, S/N 201, 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: 201 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 2066 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: TXK, Texarkana - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 30, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,394 total, 8 in this make and model, 1,114 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 17; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 7 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KTXK - METAR: KTXK 182348Z 34005KT 10SM CLR 12/M05 A3022 ## 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 20231218020439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231218020439A), Dec 18, 2023: Aero Commander 100, Texarkana, AR, Substantial damage. On December 18, 2023, at approximately 1729 CST, an Aero Commander 100 with a pending registration and operated by commercial/flight instructor rated pilot,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193544. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16794356&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Report%20N4104X_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16807969&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16793508&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20array-Rel.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.