# NTSB FTW87FA177: Aero Commander 520, N4164B, Carrollton, TX, July 27, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 27, 1987, 11:01 local (16:01 UTC) - Place: Carrollton, TX - Coordinates: 32.980571, -96.89093 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9806&lon=-96.8909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 22262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22262/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA177 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - disconnected (cause) - propeller feathering - not possible - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - stripped thread (cause) - maintenance,overhaul - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - incorrect (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT STRUCK PWR LINES AND THE GRND DURING A SINGLE ENG GO-AROUND. FOLLOWING A LEFT ENG SHUT DOWN DUE TO SEVERE VIBRATIONS, THE PLT OVERFLEW ONE ARPT TO RETURN TO HIS HOME BASE. EN ROUTE, HE ELECTED NOT TO GO TO FULL PWR DUE TO A 3 MIN LIMITATION HE DID NOT WANT TO EXCEED. THE PLT OVERSHOT THE RWY WHILE MANUALLY EXTENDING THE NOSE GEAR AND ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A RT 270 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO FINAL WHILE AT 100-150' AGL. NLG DID NOT EXTEND DUE TO HYD PUMP BEING ON LEFT ENG AND NO PRESSURE. DURING THE TURN, THE PLT LOST CONTROL AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE WIRES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE BLADE PITCH CHANGE LINKS ON THE LEFT PROP HAD DISCONNECTED, ALLOWING ONE BLADE TO FREE FLOAT. THE LINK PIN ASSEMBLY HAD BACKED OUT AS A RESULT OF THE SAFETY SCREW BACKING OUT DUE TO DAMAGED AND STRIPPED THREADS AND AN IMPROPER LENGTH SCREW BEING INSTALLED. PROPS HAD 1/4' SAFETY SCREWS INSTALLED INSTEAD OF 3/8'. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4164B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4164B-2006-07-07), registration cancelled 2006-07-07, S/N 520-69, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 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 - Serial number: 520-69 - Airframe hours: 1920 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-C2B2 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James L. Leverenz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1987, 10 hours before - Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX - Destination: RDB, DALLAS, TX - Airport: AD5, Addison, runway 15, 7,199 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,176 total, 206 in this make and model, 1,066 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ADS, 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 19870727038939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870727038939A), Jul 27, 1987: Gulstm 520, Dallas, TX, Destroyed. Engine vibration and unable to feather. Stalled trying to land. Prop blade link pins missing. Assembled by pilot. ## Other investigations on N4164B (1) 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 NYC69F0369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69F0369), Mar 13, 1969: Aero Comdr 520 (N4164B), Claremont, NH, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.