# NTSB FTW92DRG02: Aero Commander Callair A-9B, N7616V, Harlingen, TX, July 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1992, 06:50 local (11:50 UTC)
- Place: Harlingen, TX
- Coordinates: 26.189596, -97.679191 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1896&lon=-97.6792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DRG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DRG02

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT FIRE DUE TO A LOOSE FUEL FITTING AND FUEL LINE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering - aerial application
  - maintenance - improper, unknown (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
  - fuel system,line - disengaged (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - separation

## Analysis

DURING AN AGRICULTURE SPRAYING FLIGHT THE FLAG MAN NOTICED THE AIRPLANE ON FIRE. USING HIS RADIO HE NOTIFIED THE PILOT OF THE SITUATION. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO AN AREA ADJACENT TO A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED. FOLLOWING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A FUEL LINE HAD COME LOOSE DUE TO IT NOT BEING CORRECTLY INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7616V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7616V-1992-10-27), registration cancelled 1992-10-27, S/N 1344 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER CALLAIR A-9B (CALLAIR A-)
- Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9b) (registry code 0144206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1344
- Airframe hours: 2888
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-GIC5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Texas Dusting Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Texas Dusting Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1992, 88 hours before
- Departed: XS63, RIO HONDO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 650 total, 88 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 77 °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 19920703023579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920703023579A), Jul 3, 1992: Airpts A9B, Harlingen, TX, Destroyed. Engine caught fire on spray run. Crash landed. Burned. Fuel line at fuel strainer loosened. Not properly secured.

## Other investigations on N7616V (2)

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 MIA71FLD50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FLD50), Mar 15, 1971: Aerocomdr A-9B (N7616V), Sun City, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA69F0326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69F0326), Jul 30, 1968: Aero Comdr A-9B (N7616V), Unadilla, GA, 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.

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