# NTSB FTW90LA054: Aero Commander 100-180, N3712X, Bastrop, LA, January 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1990, 16:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Bastrop, LA
- Coordinates: 32.769496, -91.899345 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7695&lon=-91.8993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA054

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE FUEL SYSTEM DRAINS, WHICH PREVENTED AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fuel system,drain - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PREFLT, THE PLT DRAINED THE FUEL SYS/SEDIMENT BOWL UNDER THE ENG COMPARTMENT UNTIL NO WATER CAME OUT. HE NOTED 'QUITE A LOT' OF WATER HAD DRAINED FM THE FUEL SYS. THERE WERE NO FUEL DRAINS UNDER THE WINGS. THE PLT THEN REFUELED THE ACFT, REDRAINED THE FUEL SYS & FND NO MORE WATER. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABT 150' AGL, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LAND ON THE ARPT, BUT NOT ON THE RWY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT STRUCK 3 STEEL POLES THAT WERE PART OF AN OLD BUILDING. A POST-ACDNT FUEL SAMPLE FROM THE ACFT CONTAINED 1 INCH OF WATER & 3 INCHES OF FUEL. A SAMPLE OF FUEL FM THE STORAGE TANK CONTAINED NO WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3712X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3712X-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 5014, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100-180
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5014
- Airframe hours: 1184
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Young, Jessie
- Registered owner: Young, Jessie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 2F8
- Destination: 2F8
- Airport: 2F8, Memorial, runway 34, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 148 total, 137 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19900121000809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900121000809A), Jan 21, 1990: Slinds 100180, Bastrop, LA, Destroyed. Lost power on climbout. Turning back and landing at airport struck poles. Found water in fuel.

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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