# NTSB ERA24LA044: Aero Commander 112, N1143J, Saluda, SC, November 19, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 19, 2023, 11:26 local (16:26 UTC) - Place: Saluda, SC · On airport property - Coordinates: 33.9325, -81.793889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9325&lon=-81.7939&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - 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): 193410 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193410/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193410 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA044 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing in crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action. ## 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 112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0144701), [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 112, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0144701), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Aero Commander 112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0144701), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander 112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=0144701), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander 112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0144701), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aero Commander 112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0144701), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aero Commander 112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0144701), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and the flight instructor planned a flight itinerary that included multiple stops with the aim of the pilot receiving 7 hours of training in the airplane. Prior to the accident, the flight instructor learned that the pilot had not performed go-arounds or touch-and-go landings in the airplane make and model. Upon flying the airplane into the accident airport, the favorable weather conditions and lack of air traffic led them to decide to conduct the training in the traffic pattern there. The first landing was made by the pilot to a full stop with taxi back. The second landing, which was a touch-and-go, was performed by the flight instructor. The third, followed by the fourth and final landing was performed by the pilot. During the fourth landing, with the wing flaps fully extended, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane and attempted to abort the landing as the airplane veered to the left (a right crosswind prevailed at that time). The pilot tried to correct back toward to the runway centerline, but the airplane went off the left side of the runway. The airplane then touched down in the grass, traveled down an embankment, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airframe was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1143J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1143J), registered now, S/N 143, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 112 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 112](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-112) (registry code 0144701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 143 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 9600 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2023 - Departed: 6J4, Saluda, SC - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 6J4, Saluda County Airport, runway 1, 3,189 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 256 total, 19 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 51; injuries: minor; commercial, student, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,350 total, 23 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KAIK, 18 nm away - METAR: METAR KAIK 191635Z AUTO 05009KT 10SM OVC021 15/02 A3003 RMK AO2 T01530019= ## 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 20231119020459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231119020459A), Nov 19, 2023: Aero Commander 112, Saluda, SC, Substantial damage. On November 19, 2023 at approximately 1126 hours local, a Aero Commander 112 sustained substantial damaged when the aircraft veered left off runway 01,… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193410. 32.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 7.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16667898&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20(Signed)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements and interview summaries (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 612 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16667826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries_Redacted-Rel.pdf - N1143J - ground track (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16668109&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N1143J%20Ground%20Track-Rel.pdf - Aerial image of accident area (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 16.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16667687&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Satellite%20Image%20of%20Accident%20Area-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 8 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16667952&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16668029&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N1143J%20-%20Wreckage%20Release%20(Signed)_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.