# NTSB LAX83LA074: Aero Commander 500, N6239B, Dixon, CA, January 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1983, 18:25 local (Jan 18, 1983, 02:25 UTC)
- Place: Dixon, CA
- Coordinates: 38.389797, -121.810485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3898&lon=-121.8105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA074

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - maintenance - inadequate (cause)
  - electrical system,generator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - failure,total (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - low level (cause)
  - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT WAS ON AN AIR TAXI CARGO FLT, OPERATED BY AIR EXPRESS, HAYWARD, CA. THE ACFT REPORTEDLY DEPARTED RENO, NV WITHOUT A FLT PLAN FOR A FLT TO SACRAMENTO & HAYWARD, CAL. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ACFT HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE TURNED OFF ALL UNNECESSARY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT & WHEN HE WAS APPROACHING TRAVIS AFB, HE TURNED ON 1 RADIO & REQUESTED A PART APPROACHTO LAND. HOWEVER, WHILE RECEIVING VECTORS, HE LOST RADIO CONTACT & ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING, A WING OF THE ACFT HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. THE WX AT TRAVIS WAS 400 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1 3/4 MI WITH FOG. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT GENERATOR ARMATURE LEAD HAD BEEN REMOVED & WAS INSULATED FROM ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE LEFT GENERATOR ARMATURE LEAD HAD BROKEN LOOSE & THE BATTERY HAD BECOME DISCHARGED. THE OPERATOR DID NOT SUBMIT AN ACCIDENT REPORT, SO THE TYPE OF OPERATION IS PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6239B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6239B-1988-11-25), registration cancelled 1988-11-25, S/N 50064911 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aero Commander 500
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500) (registry code 0141102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 500-649-11
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A2B 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Naike Hyles Air Express
- Registered owner: Keith Miller, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SUU, Travis Afb, runway 21L, 11,000 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU, 2 nm away

## 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 19830117001119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830117001119A), Jan 17, 1983: Gulstm 500RKWELL, Dixon, CA, Substantial damage. Lost electrical power. Battery went dead on par vectors. Crashed on a road. Lead broke left generator other inop.

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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