# NTSB FTW98LA160: Aero Commander 100, N5530M, Fort Worth, TX, March 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 1998, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.699623, -97.389694 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6996&lon=-97.3897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20561 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20561/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA160 ## Probable cause The separation of the aileron control rod due to bending overstress. A factor was the unsuitable terrain available for the precautionary landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - overload (cause) - flt control syst,aileron control cable/rod - separation (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis The control rod for the pilot's aileron control separated during takeoff, initial climb, after the pilot heard a 'loud pop'. The pilot elected to land straight ahead, using rudder inputs for directional control. The airplane became airborne and then 'began to drift left of centerline.' Examination of the aircraft revealed a push-pull rod for aileron control was found separated at the connecting point to the bellcrank assembly, behind the left control yoke. Metallurgical examination of the rod disclosed fracture surfaces were rough and had a matte appearance along a shear plane. The rod exhibited bending deformation adjacent to the fracture. According to the metallurgist, these features are typical of an overstress separation. No evidence of pre-existing cracks, such as fatigue, was found. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 1998, at 1530 central standard time, an Aero Commander 100 airplane, N5530M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a failure in the flight control system, during the initial climb from the Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, Fort Worth, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported the following events in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The airplane was positioned for take off from runway 16. The airplane became airborne and then "began to drift left of centerline." The pilot stated that he was making control inputs to bring the airplane back to the centerline at 100 feet above ground level, when he heard a "loud pop." He realized that the airplane was no longer responding to aileron control inputs. The 308 hour pilot was able to maintain directional control using rudder inputs and landed on grassy terrian, on airport property. The owner of the airplane stated that he was not aware of any maintenance performed on the aileron control system prior to the accident. An FAA inspector reported that the propeller was bent. The nose landing gear was bent rearward into the airframe. The left wing flap, aileron and wing tip were structurally damaged. A push-pull rod for aileron control was found separated at the connecting point to the bellcrank assembly, behind the left control yoke. The fractured aileron push-pull rod was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C., for examination. The fracture surfaces were observed to be rough and had a matte appearance along a shear plane. The rod exhibited bending deformation adjacent to the fracture. According to the metallurgist, these features are typical of an overstress separation. No evidence of pre-existing cracks, such as fatigue, was found. At the time of the accident the Fort Worth International Airport was reporting the following weather conditions; clear skies, visibility 10 miles, and winds from 160 degrees at 23 knots with gusts to 37 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5530M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5530M-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 116, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 100 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (registry code 0140202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 116 - Airframe hours: 2079 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dale Griffin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 1998, 29 hours before - Departed: FTW - Destination: F71, LUCK FIELD, TX - Airport: FTW, Meacham Intl. Airport, runway 16R, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 308 total, 1 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 23 knots, gusting 37 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °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 19980326040619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980326040619A), Mar 26, 1998: Aerocd 100, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The control rod for the pilot's aileron control separated during takeoff, initial climb, after the pilot heard a 'loud pop'. The pilot elected to land… 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.