# NTSB FTW89LA124: Aero Commander Lark 100-180, N3634X, Gonzales, TX, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1989, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Gonzales, TX
- Coordinates: 29.500892, -97.439712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5009&lon=-97.4397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA124

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE, FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, DURING A LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - powerplant - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVER AT A LOW THROTTLE SETTING AND NOTICED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS HE ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A CLIMB. HE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ONTO A ROAD AND SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE AIRCRAFT IN A COLLISION WITH TREES AND NOSE OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3634X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3634X-1993-01-04), registration cancelled 1993-01-04, S/N 5069 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER LARK 100-180 (LARK 100-1)
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5069
- Airframe hours: 1622
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Yenawine, Dallas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1988, 70 hours before
- Departed: 50R, LOCKHART, TX
- Destination: T20, GONZALES, TX
- Airport: Gonzales

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 131 total, 69 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890701018929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890701018929A), Jul 1, 1989: Slinds 100180, Gonzales, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit after pass over home to alert for a pickup. Crash landed.

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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