# NTSB FTW81DRD12: Aero Comdr 560C, N4385, Brownsville, TX, January 23, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 23, 1981
- Place: Brownsville, TX · BROWNSVILLE, TX
- Location: 25.9017° N, 97.4975° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brownsville, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9017&lon=-97.4975&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81DRD12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRD12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0286  81/1/23  NR.BROWNSVILLE,TX     AERO COMDR 560C     CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 1915
        TIME - 1345                    N4385               PX-  0  0  1  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 29 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOMESTEAD,FL                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- PLT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING SEVERE ELECTRICAL STORM.DITCHED 375MI SE BROWNSVILLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4385](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4385-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 560F-1213-47, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMDR 560C
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 560-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-560-f) (registry code 0141408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IGO-540-B1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-igo-540-b1a) (registry code 41538, 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 19810123002749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810123002749A), Jan 23, 1981: Rkwell 560F, Brownsville, TX, Destroyed. Reported being lost on local test flight at sea due to thunderstorms. Ditched. Rescued. License had been revoked.

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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