# NTSB FTW02LA167: Aero Commander 500-S, N98TT, La Porte, TX, May 25, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2002, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: La Porte, TX - Coordinates: 29.669166, -95.064163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6692&lon=-95.0642&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54818 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54818/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54818 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA167 ## Probable cause The failure of a hydraulic line, which resulted in the loss of the brakes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - hydraulic system,line - failure (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - failure (cause) - Overrun, landing - roll - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch - object - fence ## Analysis After landing at normal speed, the pilot applied brakes and the pedals went to the stops. He immediately pulled the fuel shut off, feathered the propellers, and cut off all switches while maintaining directional control with the rudder. Realizing he wasn't slowing enough, he decided to steer the airplane on the grass to reduce speed. The airplane rolled to the airport perimeter fence, hitting it at approximately 20-25 mph and stopped in the ditch just outside the fence. Examination of the hydarulic system revealed a failed hydraulic line. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2002, at 1300 central daylight time, an Aero Commander 500-S twin-engine airplane, N98TT, was substantially damaged during landing roll on runway 12 at the La Porte Municipal Airport near La Porte, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Max Bowen Enterprises of League City, Texas. The commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The flight originated from Gatesville, Texas, at 1125. The 3,111-hour pilot reported that after landing at normal speed, he applied brakes and the pedals "went to the stops." He immediately pulled the fuel shut off, feathered the propellers, and cut off all switches while maintaining directional control with the rudder. Realizing he wasn't slowing enough, he elected to steer the airplane onto the grass to reduce speed. Rudder control was used to exit the runway on the left side. The airplane contuned to roll to the airport perimeter fence, impacting it at approximately 20-25 mph, coming to rest in a ditch, just outside the perimeter fence. A passenger reported that they landed and started to brake when the brakes "failed," and they went into the grass to try to slow down. The airplane collided with the fence and stopped in the ditch. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the airplane's nose and nose landing gear were damaged, and the left wing sustained structural damage. Examination of the hydraulic system revealed a failed hydraulic line. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98TT-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 3073, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 500-S - Registry model: [Aero Commander 500 S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-s) (registry code 0141107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3073 - Airframe hours: 6500 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-E1B5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Max Bowen Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2001, 60.3 hours before - Departed: 05F, Gatesville, TX - Destination: T41, La Porte, TX - Airport: T41, La Porte Municipal, runway 12, 4,165 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,111 total, 737 in this make and model, 2,838 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 20020525034569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020525034569A), May 25, 2002: Gulstm 500S, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 25, 2002, at 1300 central daylight time, an aero commander 500-S twin-engine airplane, N98TT, was substantially damaged during landing roll at the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54818. 532 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.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.