# NTSB FTW88FA066: Aero Commander 680, N634SA, El Paso, TX, February 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1988, 09:58 local (16:58 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Location: 31.7930° N, 106.3787° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from EL PASO INTL (ELP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7930&lon=-106.3787&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA066

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - landing gear - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED, NON MULTIENGINE RATED PILOT, WHOSE MEDICAL HAD EXPIRED, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING AN IFR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AND BURNED. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO RETURN AND LAND AFTER HE REPORTED A LANDING GEAR PROBLEM. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHAT LANDING GEAR MALFUNCTION EXISTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N634SA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 680
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680509179
- Engines: LYCOMING GSO-480-B1A6 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Mccoy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ELP
- Destination: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ELP, El Paso Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,012 total, 95 in this make and model, 2,839 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 1 nm away

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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