# NTSB DEN83FTA01: Aero Commander 100, N5539M, Red Lodge, MT, October 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1982, 14:39 local (20:39 UTC)
- Place: Red Lodge, MT
- Location: 45.1933° N, 109.2501° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Red Lodge, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1933&lon=-109.2501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT LOST AIRSPEED AND STARTED AN UNINITIATED DESCENT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO POWER OUT OF IT AND THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED TWO BUILDINGS AND A FENCE BEFORE STOPPING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE WINDS WERE FROM 200 DEGREES AT 30 KTS, GUSTING TO 50 KTS. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 5762 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5539M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5539M-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 125, 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: 125
- Airframe hours: 1315
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gordon Gibson
- Registered owner: Gordon Gibson
- Departed: RED LODGE, MT
- Destination: DENVER, CO
- Airport: Red Lodge, runway 21, 2,300 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,242 total, 101 in this make and model, 4,030 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 158 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821017053039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821017053039A), Oct 17, 1982: Slinds 100ACMDR, Red Lodge, MT, Destroyed. Pilot attempted takeoff in extremely windy conditions, lost control and aircraft crashed into shed and house.

## Other investigations on N5539M (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 MKC71DCD52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DCD52), Jan 16, 1971: Aero Comdr 100 (N5539M), Shenandoah, IA, substantial damage

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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