# NTSB CHI87DEX04: Aero Commander 500B, N116CA, Hagerstown, IN, December 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1986, 03:24 local (08:24 UTC)
- Place: Hagerstown, IN
- Coordinates: 39.910976, -85.149467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9110&lon=-85.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEX04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEX04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(flight schedule), pilot in command
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON THE FOURTH LEG OF A NIGHT CARGO FLIGHT CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 500' AGL ENROUTE TO MT. VERNON, IL, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOME TREES AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE ENGINES AND PROPELLERS WERE BOTH TORN DOWN AND TESTED AND NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION WAS DISCOVERED. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT RECALL THE CRASH SEQUENCE AT ALL. THE PILOT WAS WEARING A 'WALKMAN' RADIO AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE STATED IT WAS TO HELP KEEP HIM AWAKE, BECAUSE HE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP AT TIMES IN THE PAST WHILE FLYING NIGHT CARGO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N116CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N116CA-1991-09-10), registration cancelled 1991-09-10, S/N 500B113375 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 500B
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 500-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-b) (registry code 0141106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 500B-1133-75
- Airframe hours: 11034
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Central Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 30, 1986, 118 hours before
- Departed: CAK, AKRON, OH
- Destination: CPS, EAST ST. LOUIS, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,150 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 22° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY

## 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 19861212067339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861212067339A), Dec 12, 1986: Gulstm 500B, Hagerstown, IN, Destroyed. The aircraft struck trees while flying at low altitude at night. The pilot may have fallen asleep.

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.

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