# NTSB CHI91LA089: Aero Commander 100, N5516M, Browning, MO, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1991, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Browning, MO
- Coordinates: 40.03091, -93.159858 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0309&lon=-93.1599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA089

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO A BLOCKED FUEL VENT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT THE PILOT SAID THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THEN QUIT.  AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A PASTURE WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGED AND MINOR INJURIES TO THE PAX.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED PLASTIC WRAPPING AROUND THE JUNCTURE OF THE LEFT STABILIZER AND FUSELAGE, WHICH THE PILOT SAID BLEW ACROSS HIS PATH ON TAKEOFF.  THE FUEL TANK VENT IS LOCATED MIDWAY BETWEEN THE LANDING GEAR LEGS.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION NOR FUEL SUPPLY SHORTAGE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5516M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5516M-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 115, built 1967 (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: 115
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vance D. Baugher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1990, 28 hours before
- Departed: TRX, TRENTON, MO
- Destination: HAE, HANNIBAL, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,618 total, 219 in this make and model, 2,598 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Observed at: IRK, 40 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 19910203001359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001359A), Feb 3, 1991: Slinds 100ACMDR, Browning, MO, Substantial damage. Lost power on climb to cruise. Landed in a pasture. Pilot beleives fuel vent blocked by plastic.

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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