# NTSB LAX82FA357: Aero Commander 520, N2622B, Agoura, CA, September 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1982, 13:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: Agoura, CA
- Coordinates: 34.120738, -118.760131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1207&lon=-118.7601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA357
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA357

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing,spar - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - separation
  - stabilizer - overload
  - stabilizer - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING DEPARTURE, THE PILOT CLIMBED IN IFR CONDITIONS TO 600O FT. AFTER LEVELING, A FREQUENCY CHANGE WAS MADE AND HE WAS CLEARED TO 8000 FT, WHICH HE ACKNOWLEDGED. ABOUT 2 MIN LATER, THE CONTROLLER RADIOED TO THE PILOT THAT HE WAS ABOUT 4 MI NORTH OF THE AIRWAY, BUT THERE WAS NO REPLY FROM THE PILOT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AND THE PLANE CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. SEVERAL RESIDENTS IN THE AREA REPORTED HEARING EXTREMELY LOUD ENGINE NOISES FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE SILENCE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BOTH WINGS HAD SEPARATED OUTBOARD OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ENGINE NACELLE ASSEMBLIES. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURES REVEALED THE WINGS HAD SEPARATED FROM POSITIVE OVERLOAD. THE LEADING EDGES OF BOTH WINGS HAD BALLOONED UPWARD, INDICATIVE OF EXTREME AIRSPEED. THE EMPENNAGE HAD SEPARATED IN A YAW AND FROM RIGHT TORSIONAL OVERLOAD. PARTS OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE FOUND WITHIN A 1 MI ARC, NORTH OF THE MAIN IMPACT AREA. THE PILOT'S RECENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE COULD NOT BE VERIFIED. TURBC WAS FCSTD BLO 8000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2622B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2622B-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 520-134, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 520
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 520](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-520) (registry code 0141202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 134
- Airframe hours: 5198
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-C2B2 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Donald Nelson
- Registered owner: Donald Nelson
- Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA
- Destination: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 153 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX, 20 nm away

## Other investigations on N2622B (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 SEA70D0144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70D0144), Dec 13, 1969: Aero Comdr 520 (N2622B), Salem, OR, 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.

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