# NTSB ERA10LA457: Aero Commander 560E, N175SP, Jacksonville, FL, August 31, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2010, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.311944, -81.821113 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3119&lon=-81.8211&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77144 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA457 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77144/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77144 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA457 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines during climb due to fuel contamination. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 560-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0141406), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 560-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=0141406), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Aero Commander 560-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0141406), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander 560-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=0141406), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aero Commander 560-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0141406), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero Commander 560-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0141406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The multi-engine airplane was being flown to an airport about 15 miles from the departure airport for avionics maintenance. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection, which included checking the fuel tanks for water contamination. After a normal takeoff, the airplane was in a climb between 1,500 and 2,000 feet mean sea level when the left engine surged and lost all power. Shortly thereafter, the right engine began to surge and also lost all power. The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck trees during an ensuing forced landing to an interstate. Examination of the airframe and both engines did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. A 1.5-gallon fuel sample drained from the airplane's fuel tanks contained about 2 cups of water. The airplane had been operated for about 24 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 6 weeks prior to the accident. The accident flight was the first flight after the airplane had been refueled, but only partially, about 3 weeks earlier. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2010, about 0815 eastern daylight time, an Aero Commander 560E, N175SP, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after experiencing a total loss of engine power in both engines during the initial climb after takeoff from the Herlong Airport (HEG), Jacksonville, Florida. The certificated private pilot and a certified flight instructor (CFI) were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for Craig Municipal Airport (CRG), also located in Jacksonville, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. During an interview, the pilot reported that he purchased the airplane on June 19, 2010. The airplane was previously owned by the Delaware State Police, and had not been flown for over 1 year. On July 23, 2010, after maintenance which included an annual inspection, the pilot took delivery of the airplane in Delaware, and flew it to HEG. The purpose of the accident flight was to fly to CRG for avionics related maintenance. The pilot performed a preflight inspection, which included checking the fuel tanks for water contamination, prior to the flight. The pilot and CFI, who the pilot considered a safety pilot per insurance requirements, departed without incident. The airplane was in a climb between 1,500 and 2,000 feet mean sea level, when the left engine lost all power. The pilot successfully feathered the engine; however, shortly thereafter, the right engine began to "sputter" and also lost all power. The pilot was unable to restore engine power in either engine, and performed a forced landing to Interstate I-10. During the landing, the airplane struck trees, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The CFI reported that he assumed control of the airplane immediately after the left engine failed. He secured the left engine and subsequently maneuvered the airplane for the forced landing. He noted that both engines "surged" several times prior to losing power. While on approach, he observed power lines which necessitated lowering the airplane's nose, and increased the touchdown airspeed. During the landing roll, the airplane's right tire departed the paved surface, and the airplane veered into trees, toward a fence. The airplane was subsequently removed from the accident site for further examination, which was conducted by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors. Examination of the airframe and both engines did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that fuel drained from the airplane's fuel tanks prior to its removal from the accident site was contaminated with water. The inspector drained a 1.5-gallon fuel sample, which revealed approximately 2 cups of water. The pilot further reported that the airplane had been operated for about 24 hours since it was purchased, and was last flown on August 11, 2010. At that time,fuel was added to the airplane which brought the total fuel on board to approximately 80 gallons in the main fuel tanks, and 20 gallons in the auxiliary fuel tanks. The pilot reported 242 hours of total flight experience, which included about 90 hours in multiengine airplanes, of which 24 hours were accumulated in the accident airplane. The CFI reported 1,474 hours of total flight experience, which included about 375 hours in multiengine airplanes, of which 10 hours were accumulated in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N175SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N175SP-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N 783 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 560E - Registry model: [Aero Commander 560-E](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-560-e) (registry code 0141406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 783 - Airframe hours: 9075 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480-G1B6 295 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming GO-480-G1B6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 2010, 24 hours before - Departed: HEG, Jacksonville, FL - Destination: CRG, Jacksonville, FL - Airport: HEG, Herlong ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 242 total, 24 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 11, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 1,475 total, 10 in this make and model, 240 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: CRG, 18 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 20100831047049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100831047049A), Aug 31, 2010: Aero Comman 560-E, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed. On August 31, 2010 at approximately 0755 EDT, an Aero commander 560-E aircraft, registration number N176SP, s/n 783, piloted by [privacy data omitted] and… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77144. 5.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 525 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349677&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - CFI Statement (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349840&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot and CFI Interview Memorandum (item 3, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349841&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20CFI%20Interview%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statements (item 4, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Bill of Sale (item 5, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Bill%20of%20Sale-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Records (excerpts) (item 6, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(excerpts)-Redacted.PDF - Photograph # 1 – View of airplane as it came to rest looking from the rear left side. (Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration) (item 7, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20looking%20from%20the%20rear%20left%20side.%20(Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 2 – View of airplane as it came to rest as view from the front of the airplane. (Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration) (item 8, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349825&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20as%20view%20from%20the%20front%20of%20the%20airplane.%20(Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration)-Master.PDF - Photograph # 3 – Close-up of view of damage sustained to outboard right wing. (Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration) (item 9, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%203%20%E2%80%93%20Close-up%20of%20view%20of%20damage%20sustained%20to%20outboard%20right%20wing.%20(Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration)-Master.PDF 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.