# NTSB CHI02LA030: Aero Commander 100, N3761X, Hillman, MN, November 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 2001, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Hillman, MN - Coordinates: 46.000053, -93.879455 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0001&lon=-93.8795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- Minneapolis, Minnesota FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53830/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA030 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall by the pilot. Factors were the tailwind, and the improper decision of the pilot to takeoff with a tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis The airplane was damaged when it impacted the ground after takeoff from a private airstrip. In a written statement, the pilot said that the wind was light and from the northwest. He said that he elected to takeoff downwind due to obstructions north of the airstrip. He said that the airplane became airborne and flew to an altitude of about 30 to 50 feet above ground level when the airplane, "...suddenly banked hard to right. Pilot tried to correct with full left yoke deflection and slightly nose down elevator. Right wing contacted [the] ground...." A weather reporting station located about 26 miles and 200 degrees from the accident site recorded the wind as 9 knots from 340 degrees at 1053. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2001, at 1030 central standard time, an Aero Commander 100, N3761X, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground after takeoff from a private airstrip near Hillman, Minnesota. The north-south oriented turf runway is about 2,200 feet long and 75 feet wide, and the takeoff was made to the south. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and his two passengers received minor injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot said that the wind was light and from the northwest. He said that he elected to takeoff downwind due to obstructions north of the airstrip. He said that the airplane became airborne and flew to an altitude of about 30 to 50 feet above ground level when the airplane, "...suddenly banked hard to right. Pilot tried to correct with full left yoke deflection and slightly nose down elevator. Right wing contacted [the] ground...." A weather reporting station located about 26 miles and 200 degrees from the accident site recorded the wind as 9 knots from 340 degrees at 1053. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3761X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3761X-2002-05-16), registration cancelled 2002-05-16, S/N 251, 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: 251 - Airframe hours: 3763 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lloyd S. Rinkel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 2001, 24.5 hours before - Departed: PVT, Hillman, MN - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 180, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 28, 1998; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 57 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: STC, 26 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 20011110029949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011110029949A), Nov 10, 2001: Hillman, MN, No damage. (-23) Aircraft took-off to the south from grass strip. Pilot and 2 passengers were on board with approximately 35 gallons of fuel. Passenger weights were 200… 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.