# NTSB IAD96LA103: Aero Commander Calair A-9B, N7730V, Cloverdale, OH, July 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1996, 20:00 local (Jul 2, 1996, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Cloverdale, OH - Coordinates: 41.010585, -84.300247 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0106&lon=-84.3002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28071/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA103 ## Probable cause Powerplant failure due to undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of the crash was the unsuitable terrain in which the aircraft landed and post-crash fire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - powerplant - failure (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while spraying a corn field with agriculture products he began climbing to clear some trees and noticed that the fuel pressure light was on. He switched on the boost pump and switched fuel tanks however, the engine quit. The aircraft was destroyed when it crashed between two trees and subsequently burned. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 1, 1996, at about 2000 eastern daylight time, a Aero Command Calair A-9B, N7730V, lost fuel pressure, then engine power while spraying agricultural products near Cloverdale, Ohio. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed during the forced landing and post-crash fire. Visual Meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137, and originated from Continental, Ohio, at approximately 0730. The pilot stated that he departed Hiltner field, his home at about 0730, to spray a field of corn. He said that the field was in a tight river bottom and as he was about to pull up over some tall trees he noticed that the fuel pressure light was on. He said that he turned on the boost pump and switched tanks but the engine had already quit. He said that he made it over the trees and dumped the rest of his chemicals. The aircraft crashed between two trees. He said he unfastened his restraints and rolled out the right side of the aircraft and crawled away. He said he sustained head injuries, and burns to his left arm, face and back. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION/DOCUMENTATION On July 18, 1996, the wreckage was examined by an Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a representative from Lycoming, the engine manufacturer. The following is a summary of their findings: The cockpit, left wing and the inboard portion of the right wing were destroyed by impact and subsequent post-crash fire. The empennage remained intact but was impact damaged. The engine remained attached to the fuselage however, most of the accessory section and fuel lines were destroyed by fire, including the left and right magnetos, engine driven fuel pump, and the fuel injector servo. The engine crankshaft could be rotated, and all pistons and valves moved in sequence. There were no pre-existing mechanical failures found during the examination. According to the FAA inspector the aircraft had been fueled prior to the flight. The propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade was bent forward at the midpoint and the opposite blade had an 'S type' curl at the outboard 1/3 of the blade. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7730V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7730V-1997-03-24), registration cancelled 1997-03-24, S/N 1481 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander CALAIR A-9B (CALAIR A-9) - Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9b) (registry code 0144206) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1481 - Airframe hours: 4300 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-G1C5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Charles W. Hiltner, doing business as Charley Bill'S Ag Service - Registered owner: James Hiltner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1995, 187 hours before - Departed: CONTINENTAL, OH - Destination: OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19960702015729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960702015729A), Jul 2, 1996: Airpts A9B, Cloverdale, OH, Destroyed. Lost fuel pressure on pullup from spray run. Engine quit. Dumped load hit trees. No mechanical. (-23) the pilot reported, during an agriculture application,… 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.