# NTSB ERA14CA061: Aero Commander 680E, N71DF, Crescent City, FL, December 3, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 3, 2013, 09:37 local (14:37 UTC) - Place: Crescent City, FL - Coordinates: 29.438611, -81.576385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4386&lon=-81.5764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88508 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88508/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88508 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA061 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0141604), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0141604), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0141604), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0141604), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero Commander 680-E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0141604), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane "hesitated" during the takeoff roll due to the added weight of the passengers on board and the grass surface of the departure airstrip. He said he then added "extra" engine power at rotation, and that the left engine accelerated more quickly than the right, which resulted in an adverse yaw to the right and collision with trees along the right side of the runway. The subsequent collision with trees and terrain resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane "hesitated" during the takeoff roll due to the added weight of the passengers on board and the grass surface of the departure airstrip. He said he then added "extra" engine power at rotation, and that the left engine accelerated more quickly than the right, which resulted in an adverse yaw to the right and collision with trees along the right side of the runway. The subsequent collision with trees and terrain resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71DF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71DF-2018-02-23), registration cancelled 2018-02-23, S/N 680E-672-12, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 680E - Registry model: [Aero Commander 680-E](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-680-e) (registry code 0141604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GSO&IGSO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-igso-480-series) (registry code 41529, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 680E-672-12 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 8400 - Engines: Lycoming IGSO-480 reciprocating; Lycoming IGSO-480 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2001, 60 hours before - Departed: 28FL, Crescent City, FL - Destination: 28J, Palatka, FL - Airport: 28FL, Jim Finlay Farm, runway 36, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 15,000 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: XFL, 20 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 20131203025369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131203025369A), Dec 3, 2013: Aero Commander 680-E, Cresent City, FL, Destroyed. On December 3, 2013 at approximately 0937 an Aero Commander 680-E, N71DF [privacy data omitted] collided with several trees upon take off from jim finlay farm… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88508. 8.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 Memorandum for Record (item 1, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - View of Airplane as Found (item 3, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20View%20of%20Airplane%20as%20Found-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of Airplane Facing Opposite Direction of Travel (item 4, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Facing%20Opposite%20Direction%20of%20Travel-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.