# NTSB LAX66F0276: Aero Comdr 500, N8459C, Palm Sprngs, CA, February 20, 1966

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 20, 1966
- Place: Palm Sprngs, CA · PALM SPRNGS, CA
- Location: 33.8303° N, 116.5453° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palm Springs, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8303&lon=-116.5453&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 6, 1966
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 172737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX66F0276
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66F0276

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1189  66/2/20    PALM SPRNGS CALIF    AERO COMDR 500     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 40, 1861
        TIME - 1855                    N8459C              PX-  0  0  5  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 221 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PALM SPRINGS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        REMARKS- NIGHT OPERATION-LIGHTED RUNWAY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8459C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8459C-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 816, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMDR 500
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500) (registry code 0141102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Palm Springs

## Other investigations on N8459C (1)

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 LAX67F0094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67F0094), Jul 31, 1966: Aero Cmdr 500 (N8459C), Van Nuys, CA, 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.

---
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.