# NTSB LAX01LA173: Aero Commander 112A, N1159J, Riverside, CA, May 5, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 2001, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Riverside, CA - Coordinates: 33.953056, -117.433334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9531&lon=-117.4333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 52296 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52296/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA173 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor was the worn nose wheel steering assembly. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear,steering system - worn (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis On the landing rollout, the airplane veered to the right, departed the runway, and collided with a ditch. The purpose of the flight was to conduct three takeoffs and landings for currency. The accident landing was the first landing of the day. On the landing rollout the airplane went to the left and the pilot corrected back to runway centerline. The airplane then moved to the right of centerline. The pilot attempted to correct back to runway centerline with left rudder input and then left brake; however, the airplane continued to the right and into a ditch. A postaccident examination of the nose wheel and steering assembly revealed excessive play or wear that may have reduced steering control. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2001, at 1450 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 112A, N1159J, veered off runway 27 after landing and collided with a ditch at the Riverside Municipal Airport, Riverside, California. The airplane was operated by the pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area personal flight that originated about 1430. A flight plan had not been filed. The Safety Board Investigator-in-charge (IIC) interviewed the pilot. He had been cleared to land, with no discrepancies noted with the approach or initial touchdown. On the landing rollout the airplane veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder to correct the movement to the right; however, the airplane continued its movement to the right of the runway. He applied the brakes in an attempt to stop, but the airplane went into a ditch. In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board, he stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct three takeoffs and landings for currency. The accident landing was the first landing of the day. He stated that he had been cleared to land and that touchdown was normal. On the landing rollout the airplane went to the left and he corrected the airplane back to runway centerline. He reported that the airplane started to move towards the right. He attempted to correct the turn to the right with left rudder input. When that had no effect, he applied the left brake. The airplane continued to the right and went into a ditch. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector inspected the nose wheel assembly. He noted that the nose wheel assembly appeared to show "excessive play wear and could have contributed to [a] loss of control when landing his aircraft." No further discrepancies were noted with the airplane during the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1159J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1159J-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 159, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 112A - Registry model: [Aero Commander 112](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-112) (registry code 0144701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 159 - Airframe hours: 1451 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack L. Frye - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2001, 1 hours before - Departed: RAL, Riverside, CA - Destination: RAL, Riverside, CA - Airport: RAL, Riverside Muni, runway 27, 5,401 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 8, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 653 total, 95 in this make and model, 394 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 11 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: RAL ## 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 20010505008519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010505008519A), May 5, 2001: Gulstm 112, Riverside, CA, Substantial damage. (.19)On may 5, 2001, at 1450 hours pacific daylight time, an aero commander 112, N1159J, veered off runway 27 after landing and collided with a ditch at the… 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.