# NTSB FTW87FA134: Rockwell Commander 112, N1153J, Ft.Worth, TX, June 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1987, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Ft.Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.820346, -97.359275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8203&lon=-97.3593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22249/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - landing gear,main gear - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON 6/6/87 A ROCKWELL COMMANDER 112, N1153J, IMPACTED THE TERRAIN NEAR MEACHAM FIELD, FORTH WORTH, TEXAS WHILE ON A PHOTOGRAPHY FLIGHT. THE PILOT HAD BEEN CLEARED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 16L WHEN THE TOWER CHANGED THE RUNWAY ASSIGNMENT TO 16R. THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND THE ENGINE QUIT CAUSING THE PILOT TO ATTEMPT A FORCED LANDING TO THE OFF RAMP OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 820. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS ONBOARD WERE NOT INJURED. THE PILOT PLACED THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR ON THE RIGHT TANK DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE ENGINE, LESS THAN 1 QT IN THE RT WING TK AND APPROX 17 GALS IN THE LEFT WING TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1153J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1153J-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N 153 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL COMMANDER 112 (COMMANDER)
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 112](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-112) (registry code 0144701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 153
- Airframe hours: 186
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank De Cicco
- Registered owner: Frank Decicco
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1987, 9 hours before
- Airport: FTW, Meacham

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,533 total, 55 in this make and model, 1,296 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 1 nm away

## 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 19870606033999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870606033999A), Jun 6, 1987: Gulstm 112, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Ran fuel tank dry on final. Crashed off runway. Failed to switch to other tank. No visual prior fuel check.

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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