# NTSB FTW02LA236: Aero Commander Callair A-9B, N7718V, El Paso, TX, August 10, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2002, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: El Paso, TX - Coordinates: 31.719722, -106.23944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7197&lon=-106.2394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55494 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55494/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA236 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the cross wind, and the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of the accident airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot was performing of a series of stop and go landings to meet the insurance requirements for towing gliders in the airplane. During the second approach, the pilot was correcting for the crosswind, the airplane bounced onto the runway, veered to the right side of the runway, exited the runway, and came to rest on a sand dune. The wind was from the south-southeast approximately 7-10 knots. The accident flight was the pilot's first flight in the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2002, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, an Aero Commander Callair A-9B single-engine, single seat, tailwheel equipped airplane, N7718V, was substantially damaged during final approach to runway 8 at the West Texas Airport near El Paso, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the El Paso Soaring Society of El Paso. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local flight. The personal flight originated from the West Texas Airport approximately 0945. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the pilot reported that he was performing a series of takeoff and landings to meet the insurance requirements for towing gliders in the Callair. During the second approach to runway 08, he was correcting for the crosswind, the airplane bounced onto the runway, veered to the right side of the runway, exited the runway, and came to rest on a sand dune. The pilot reported the wind was from the south-southeast approximately 7-10 knots. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that both wings and the firewall were structurally damaged. The accident occurred during the pilot's first flight in the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7718V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7718V-2006-04-18), registration cancelled 2006-04-18, S/N 1470, built 1969 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1470 - Airframe hours: 1621 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-GIC5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: El Paso Soaring Society - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2002, 7 hours before - Departed: T27, El Paso, TX - Airport: T27, West Texas Airport, runway 08, 7,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 3, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 5,916 total, 5,599 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 7 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg ## 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 20020810020129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020810020129A), Aug 10, 2002: Gulstm CALLAIRA9B, Burnet, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 10, 2002, approximately 1000 central daylight time, an aero commander callair A-9B single-engine, single seat, tailwheel equipped airplane,… ## Other investigations on N7718V (2) 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 FTW72FRG91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72FRG91), Jun 1, 1972: Callair A-9B (N7718V), Los Fresnos, TX, substantial damage, 1 fatal - [NTSB FTW71FRG40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FRG40), Oct 24, 1970: Aero Comdr A-9B (N7718V), Tivoli, TX, destroyed 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.