# NTSB ERA24LA240: Aero Commander Callair A-9B, N7650V, Zebulon, NC, June 1, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 1, 2024, 17:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Zebulon, NC
- Coordinates: 35.935278, -78.243056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9353&lon=-78.2431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- 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): 194367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194367/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194367
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA240

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power while maneuvering due to fuel starvation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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 CALLAIR A-9B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0144206), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0144206), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=0144206), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0144206), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he departed on the glider tow flight with the airplane’s left fuel tank completely full, and between “1/4 and 1/2 a tank” in the right fuel tank, which was selected for the flight. The pilot successfully released the glider at 3,000 ft msl and entered a left, spiraling descent. At 2,800 feet, “the engine shut down (due to fuel). This has happened previously when the bank angle is steep enough and the tank low enough that the fuel does not reach the fuel pickup.” The pilot leveled the wings, but engine power did not resume. The airplane lacked the glide performance to return to the departure runway, or the pilot’s selected forced landing site. The pilot did not remember the accident landing which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and both wings. The airplane’s fuel system was compromised and its postaccident fuel state could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7650V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7650V), registered now, S/N 1378, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER CALLAIR A-9B
- Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9b) (registry code 0144206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1378
- Year built: 1968
- Airframe hours: 2483
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A-5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Glider tow, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 9, 2024, 8 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 7NC5, Crooked Creek, runway 22, 2,500 × 80 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 13,000 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: LHZ, 7 nm away
- METAR: METAR KLHZ 012105Z AUTO 12003KT 10SM CLR 26/10 A3019 RMK AO2=

## 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 20240601006089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240601006089A), Jun 1, 2024: Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B, Zebulon, NC, Destroyed. Pilot was towing a glider. After dropping off the glider the pilot was returning back to airport. Aircraft lost altitude and nose dived into the ground next to…

## Other investigations on N7650V (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 FTW73FPM16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FPM16), Jun 13, 1973: Aero Comdr A-9B (N7650V), Hallett, OK, substantial damage

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194367. 28.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 memorandum for record (item 1, PDF, 3 pages, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17413776&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Frank%20Swett%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20MFR_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17414227&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Frank%20Swett-Rel.pdf
- Witness statement (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18334000&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20John%20Swett-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 22.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17414057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_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.

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