# NTSB DEN99LA056: Aero Commander 200D, N49J, Evanston, WY, March 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 1999, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Evanston, WY - Coordinates: 41.249332, -110.959228 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2493&lon=-110.9592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45920/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA056 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a test flight after recent maintenance work had been performed on the engine. A thorough preflight was performed, and no water was found in the fuel. The pilot completed an extended run-up at all throttle positions, including a mock takeoff to a full stop. After an uneventful departure, the nose landing gear light failed to indicate that it was in the up and locked position. The pilot climbed to 10,000 feet and attempted to recycle the landing gear, but was unsuccessful. He over flew the airport to have a ground observer verify the landing gear's position. According to the pilot, 'about that time the engine quit without warning... The engine sputtered a second, then stopped again, with the electric fuel pump [on].' He performed an emergency gear-up landing on the runway. A postaccident engine examination was performed by an FAA inspector, including an inspection of the electrically-driven fuel pump that had recently been replaced. Fuel was present in each of the fuel injector nozzles and no engine discrepancies were observed. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 1999, approximately 1045 mountain standard time, an Aero Commander 200D, N49J, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while maneuvering at the Evanston Uinta County Airport, Evanston, Wyoming. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which originated approximately 15 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot, he was conducting a flight test after recent maintenance work had been completed on the engine's electrically-driven fuel pump. A thorough preflight was performed, including fuel levels and drainage, and no water was found in the fuel. Prior to takeoff, he performed an extended run-up at all throttle positions and a mock takeoff to a full stop, and no engine discrepancies were noted. After an uneventful departure, the nose landing gear light failed to indicate that it was in the up and locked position. The pilot climbed to 10,000 feet and attempted to recycle the landing gear, but was unsuccessful. He stated that the aircraft's airspeed indicated that the gear was in the up position. While in cruise flight, he flew the aircraft at various power settings and the engine "ran smoothly." He then descended to traffic pattern altitude so that he could fly over the airport to have an observer on the ground verify the landing gear's position. According to the pilot, "about that time the engine quit without warning... The engine sputtered a second, then stopped again, with the electric fuel pump [on]." The pilot stated that he did not have time to extend the landing gear, and was concerned that he would not make the runway due to drag. He performed an emergency gear-up landing on runway 23. Upon impact, the aircraft sustained damage to the underside of the fuselage, bending the lower 2 inches of the firewall. A postaccident examination of the engine was performed by an FAA maintenance inspector. Fuel was observed in the engine and the fuel tanks. The electric fuel pump was also tested and found to be operational, with fuel present in each of the fuel injector nozzles while the fuel pump was on. No additional engine discrepancies were noted (see attached inspector's statement). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49J-2009-03-16), registration cancelled 2009-03-16, S/N 352, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 200D - Registry model: [Aero Commander 200D](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-200d) (registry code 0140312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 352 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: Continental IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry D. Weathers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1998, 15 hours before - Departed: EVW - Airport: EVW, Evanston Uinta County, runway 23, 7,301 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EVW ## 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 19990313045159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990313045159A), Mar 13, 1999: Eleleth, MN, No damage. (-23) A/c was returning from a local flight and over the airport when the engine lost power. An emergency landing was accomplished on the runway gear-up to… ## Other investigations on N49J (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 SEA05FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05FA037), Jan 18, 2005: Aero Commander AC200D (Meyers) (N49J), Hatch, UT, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Inadequate airspeed, the pilot's diverted attention, and low altitude flight were factors. 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.