# NTSB ERA23LA020: Aero Commander 100, N3885X, New Smyrna Beach, FL, October 13, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 13, 2022, 17:00, time zone not recorded - Place: New Smyrna Beach, FL - Coordinates: 28.981476, -80.925251 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9815&lon=-80.9253&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106130 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106130/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106130 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA020 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack during takeoff and corresponding stall/mush. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s operation of the airplane above the maximum specified gross weight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero Commander 100, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0140202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that he did not perform weight and balance calculations prior to the flight in the airplane but did perform an engine run-up before departure with no issues noted. During takeoff he applied full power and rotated, initially climbing to between 20 and 30 ft above ground level. At that altitude the airplane stopped climbing and was not accelerating. He reported that while airborne with 800 ft of runway remaining, the airplane “stalled” and impacted the ground. He reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that there wasn’t anything mechanically wrong with the airplane and that the engine was producing power during the entire event. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the left wing was substantially damaged. The inspector also noted evidence of binding of the left aileron, but that was attributed to be associated with impact damage to the wing. There were no other issues noted with the flight controls. Postaccident calculations revealed that for the accident flight the airplane was likely at least 24 pounds above the maximum specified gross weight of 2,250 pounds. Although the pilot initially reported the altitude loss was associated with a wind shift, according review of weather data for the time and location of the accident revealed that there were no large fronts or boundaries in the area. Further, there was no wind above 10 knots until above 10,000 ft mean seal level, there were no AIRMETS for turbulence, and the wind at multiple nearby airports was from did not exceed a velocity of about 8 knots. Given all available information, it is most likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack during the takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush during the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3885X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3885X), registered now, S/N 191 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100 (UNDESIGNATED SERIES) - 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: 191 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3413 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2013, 13 hours before - Destination: DED, Deland, FL - Airport: X50, Massey Ranch Airpark, runway 36, 4,360 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2022; flight hours: 100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KEVB, 5 nm away - METAR: KEVB 132047Z 24008KT 10SM SCT040 28/22 A2980 ## 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 20221013017509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221013017509A), Oct 13, 2022: Aero Commander 100, Edgewater, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot was asked if anything was wrong with the aircraft, engine, flight controls, etc... He stated that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106130. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot initial statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 756 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14870624&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Initital%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA record of conversations (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 467 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14871434&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversations_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB record of conversations (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14871334&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convos%20w%20FAA%20Laura%20Burns%2010%2017%20and%2011%209%202022%20v01_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Aircraft weight and balance (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14875211&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Weight%20and%20Balance-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - pilot communication efforts (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14968234&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20For%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Contact%20and%20Email%20v02_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather reports and records (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14871215&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=KEVB%20METARS-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - video description (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 7 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14881864&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-Video%20Description%20v01-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 8, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14875985&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photograps-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 429 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14870768&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.