# NTSB CHI04LA081: Aero Commander 112, N1203J, Jackson, MI, February 27, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 2004, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Jackson, MI - Coordinates: 42.259723, -84.459442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2597&lon=-84.4594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 58844 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58844/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA081 ## Probable cause The left main tire failed which resulted in the CFI's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing. A factor associated with the accident was the snow bank which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The airplane collided with a snow bank following a loss of directional control while landing. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that upon landing the left main landing gear tire blew out and the airplane veered to the left. He reported the landing was not hard and it did not feel as if the student had the brakes locked on touchdown. He stated he and the student pilot used right rudder in an attempt to keep the airplane on the runway, but it continued off the left side of the runway. The nose gear contacted a snow bank that was approximately 10 feet off the side of the runway, collapsing the nose gear. During a telephone interview the CFI stated the airplane did not veer sharply, but rather it was gradual in an approximate 30 degree angle from the runway heading. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the left tire was blown and there was a flat spot on the tire. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 2004, at 1415 eastern standard time, an Aero Commander 112, N1203J, collided with a snow bank following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 6 (5,344 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) at the Jackson County - Reynolds Airport (JXN), Jackson, Michigan. The certified flight instructor (CFI), student pilot, and the passenger on board were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The last departure during the flight was from the Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport (MOP), Mount Pleasant, Michigan, at approximately 1245. The CFI reported that upon landing the left main landing gear tire blew out and the airplane veered to the left. He reported the landing was not hard and it did not feel as if the student had the brakes locked on touchdown. He stated he and the student pilot used right rudder in an attempt to keep the airplane on the runway, but it continued off the left side of the runway. The nose gear contacted a snow bank that was approximately 10 feet off the side of the runway, collapsing the nose gear. During a telephone interview the CFI stated the airplane did not veer sharply, but rather it was gradual in an approximate 30 degree angle from the runway heading. Post accident inspection of the airplane by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Detroit Flight Standards District Office revealed the left tire was blown and there was a flat spot on the tire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1203J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1203J-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 203, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 112 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 112](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-112) (registry code 0144701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 203 - Airframe hours: 3751 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lance W. Cuffle - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 2003, 19 hours before - Departed: MOP, Mount Pleasant, MI - Destination: JXN, Jackson, MI - Airport: JXN, Jackson County - Reynolds, runway 6, 5,344 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 1, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 743 total, 18 in this make and model, 472 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 39; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 17 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: JXN ## 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 20040227008099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040227008099A), Feb 27, 2004: Gulstm 112, Jackson, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Left main tire blew out on landing, aircraft veered to the left, the flight instructor took over and tried to correct. The aircraft slid forward into a… ## Other investigations on N1203J (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN14LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA081), Dec 10, 2013: Rockwell International 112 (N1203J), Hammond, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation because of a fractured governor oil line, which resulted from the improper installation of the governor oil line assembly during the last oil line… 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.