# NTSB FTW03LA222: Aero Commander 680, N233S, Porter, TX, September 10, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 2003, 19:00 local (Sep 10, 2003, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Porter, TX
- Coordinates: 30.356388, -95.007774
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3564&lon=-95.0078&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57919
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57919/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA222

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing.  A contributing factor was the gusty winds.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light

## Analysis

The 1,508-hour pilot lost control of the twin-engine airplane while landing on runway 17.  The airplane went off to the side of the runway and hit a runway light.  He reported that he "hit a gust of wind" while landing.  The airplane rolled for about 400 feet before coming to a stop.  An examination of the aircraft revealed that the nose wheel had collapsed into the wheel well, and the forward main bulkhead was bent and pushed out.

## Factual narrative

On September 9, 2003, at 1900 central daylight time, an Aero Commander 680 twin-engine airplane, N233S, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at Williams Airport (9X1), near Porter, Texas.  The multi-engine instrument rated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 cross-country flight.  The ferry flight departed Cleveland Municipal Airport (6R3), Cleveland, Texas, at 1850, and was destined for Williams Airport (9X1), Porter, Texas.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was landing on runway 17 (3,594 feet long by 35 feet wide), and went off to the side of the runway and hit a runway light.  The pilot reported that he "hit a gust of wind" while landing.  The airplane rolled for about 400 feet before coming to a stop.

An examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the nose wheel had collapsed into the wheel well, and the forward main bulkhead was bent and pushed out.

The 1,508-hour pilot held a flight instructor pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land.  His most recent FAA first class medical certificate was issued on September 17, 1998.

Numerous attempts, albeit unsuccessful, were made by the investigator-in-charge to obtain a Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the certificated flight instructor pilot.

The weather 11 nautical miles from Williams Airport, at 1853, was reported as winds from 130 degrees at 9 knots, temperature 82 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.94 inches Hg.  The visibility was 10 statute miles, with scattered clouds at 2,500 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N233S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N233S-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 680-443-114, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aero Commander 680
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 680](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-680) (registry code 0141602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GSO&IGSO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-igso-480-series) (registry code 41529, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680-443-114
- Engines: Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Fiala
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 6R3, Cleveland, TX
- Destination: 9X1, Willams Airport, TX
- Airport: 9X1, Williams Airport, runway 17, 3,594 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,508 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg

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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