# NTSB CHI98LA105: Aero Commander 680FLP, N777MX, Fond Du Lac, WI, March 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 1998, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Fond Du Lac, WI - Coordinates: 43.770759, -88.440406 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7708&lon=-88.4404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10838/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA105 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudged weather evaluation . Factors were turbulence, the pilot's inability to attain a proper climb rate, unsuitable terrain encountered in the landing area, and crops. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing - precautionary landing - intentional, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane took off on runway 18 with winds reported to be 190 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 21 knots. The pilot said that during initial climb to 200 feet AGL, he encountered turbulence and was unable to maintain flight. He made a precautionary landing in a cornfield about one-quarter mile off the end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 1998, at 1315 central standard time, an Aero Commander 680FLP, N777MX, registered to AFK Corporation, of Ripon, Wisconsin, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing one-quarter mile south of the Fond Du Lac County Airport, near Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. The airplane initiated a takeoff from runway 18 (5,940' x 100' dry snow/asphalt), in instrument meteorological conditions with the intended destination of Washington, DC. The instrument rated commercial pilot said the airplane encountered turbulence and did not accelerate as expected. He elected to make the precautionary landing in a corn field. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. One passenger received minor injuries. The corporate CFR 14 Part 91 flight was operating on an IFR flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated in his written statement, "Experienced very rough and turbulent air during the climb to approximately 200 feet AGL, airspeed was very erratic jumping around from 115 to 100 miles per hour, then experienced extreme side shear from the right." He indicated that with full power, continued flight was not possible. He extended the landing gear and executed a landing in a cornfield one-quarter mile off the departure end of runway 18. A weather observation at the airport taken 23 minutes after the accident indicated a wind of 190 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 21 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N777MX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777MX-1998-05-05), registration cancelled 1998-05-05, S/N 150720 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 680FLP - Registry model: [Aero Commander 680FL P](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-680fl-p) (registry code 0141610) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1507-20 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Registered owner: Afk Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FLD - Destination: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FLD, Fond Du Lac County, runway 18, 5,940 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,540 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,370 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 0.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FLD ## 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 19980313042069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980313042069A), Mar 13, 1998: Gulstm 680FLP, Fond Du Lac, WI, Substantial damage. (.4)The airplane took off on runway 18 with winds reported to be 190 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 21 knots. The pilot said that during initial climb to… 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.