# NTSB DEN87FA042: Aero Commander 690A, N57133, Miles City, MT, January 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1987, 13:59 local (20:59 UTC)
- Place: Miles City, MT
- Coordinates: 46.219032, -105.60025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2190&lon=-105.6003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - autopilot - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - throttle/power control - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PLT OF THE NONSCHEDULED DOMESTIC PAX AIR TAXI FLT WAS FLYING THE VOR/DME RWY 22 APCH TO WILEY FIELD, MILES CITY, MT. THE PLT SAID HE TURNED ON THE AUTOPILOT AND AFTER TURNING INBOUND FROM THE PROCEDURE TURN TOWARDS THE FAF HE ENGAGED THE APCH MODE. AFTER CROSSING THE FAF THE PLT DESCENDED TO MDA AND ENGAGED THE ALT HOLD MODE. WHEN HE REACHED THE MAP THE PLT STARTED TO MAKE A MISSED APCH BUT A PAX, SEATED NEXT TO HIM IN THE COPILOT'S SEAT, REPORTED THE RWY IN SIGHT. THE PLT SAID HE SAW THE RWY AND RETARDED THE THROTTLES IN ORDER TO DESCEND FOR LANDING. THE ACFT NOSE PITCHED UP ABRUPTLY, THE ACFT STALLED, AND MUSHED TO THE GROUND. THE ACFT HIT HARD AND SKIDDED OFF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57133](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57133-1992-12-28), registration cancelled 1992-12-28, S/N 11133 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 690A
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 690A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-690a) (registry code 0141722) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11133
- Airframe hours: 6216
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-5251K 717 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Corporate Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 21, 1986, 78 hours before
- Departed: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Destination: MLS, MILES CITY, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MLS, Wiley, runway 22, 5,783 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,398 total, 45 in this make and model, 2,198 as pilot in command, 186 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLS

## 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 19870107000229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870107000229A), Jan 7, 1987: Gulstm 690A, Miles City, MT, Substantial damage. The aircraft mushed into the runway on final approach. The pilot failed to disconnect autopilot prior to landing.

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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