# NTSB FTW79DRD16: Aero Comm 520, N4178B, New Orleans, LA, March 4, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: March 4, 1979
- Place: New Orleans, LA · NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Location: 29.9546° N, 90.0751° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Orleans, LA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9546&lon=-90.0751&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79DRD16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRD16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0536   79/3/4    NEW ORLEANS,LA      AERO COMM 520       CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 30, 664
        TIME - 1630                    N4178B              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 12 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SOUTH BIMINI,BAHAMAS        TAMPICO,MEXICO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4178B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4178B-2012-08-01), registration cancelled 2012-08-01, S/N 520-85, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMM 520
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 520](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-520) (registry code 0141202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790304004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790304004079A), Mar 4, 1979: Rkwell 520, LA, Destroyed. Acft lost an engine 200 miles south of new orleans. Ditched in the ocean.

## Other investigations on N4178B (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 MKC78DCG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCG06), Oct 29, 1977: Aero Comdr 520 (N4178B), Lamar, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC77FER09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FER09), Dec 7, 1976: Aero Comdr 520 (N4178B), St Paul, MN, substantial damage

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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