# NTSB LAX79DUG20: Aero Comdr A-9B, N7684V, Hemet, CA, March 1, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: March 1, 1979
- Place: Hemet, CA · HEMET, CA
- Location: 33.7341° N, 116.9968° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hemet, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7341&lon=-116.9968&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DUG20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUG20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0239   79/3/1  NR.HEMET,CA           AERO COMDR A-9B     CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 522
        TIME - 0945                    N7684V              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 162 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HEMET-RYAN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HEMENT                      LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  1500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      60
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  521                       KIND OF OPERATION - FERTILIZING (DUST)
          KIND OF CROP - GRAIN FIELDS                              TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -ROLLING
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1450                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UPWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - SECOND 1/3 TURN
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7684V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7684V-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 1432, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMDR A-9B
- Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9b) (registry code 0144206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Hemet-Ryan

## 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 19790301003899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790301003899A), Mar 1, 1979: Airpts A9B, Hemet, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft struck trees on hill enroute to ag operation. Down draft reported as a factor.

## Other investigations on N7684V (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 FTW97LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA232), Jun 23, 1997: Aero Commander Callair A-9B (N7684V), El Indio, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight, subsequent fuel starvation, and failure of the pilot to reposition the fuel selector to another tank (perform emergency procedure) after the loss of engine power,…

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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