# NTSB FTW83FRG05: Aero Commander Callair A-9, N7717V, Lytton Springs, TX, June 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1983, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lytton Springs, TX
- Coordinates: 29.700128, -98.110488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7001&lon=-98.1105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FRG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FRG05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A TURN-AROUND MANEUVER WHILE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MISSION. THE ACFT HAD COMPLETED ABOUT 3 SPRAYING PATTERNS AFTER RELOADING AND WAS TURNING STEEPLY TO LINE UP FOR ANOTHER PASS WHEN THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE ACFT DESCENDED IN ABOUT A 60 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AT GROUND IMPACT THE LEFT WING WAS ALSO DOWN ABOUT 45 DEGREES. NO EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7717V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7717V-1983-09-15), registration cancelled 1983-09-15, S/N 1469 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER CALLAIR A-9 (CALLAIR A-)
- Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9) (registry code 0144202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1469
- Airframe hours: 2258
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B25B 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: S&S Fertilizer, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 50 hours before
- Departed: 50R, LOCKHART, TX
- Flight plan: Military VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,550 total, 11 in this make and model, 1,459 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 91 °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 19830629027369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830629027369A), Jun 29, 1983: Beech A45, Lytton Springs, TX, Destroyed. Accelerated stall during turn for spraying run. Impacted ground 60 degrees nose down. No mechanical defect found.

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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