# NTSB LAX83LA189: Rockwell A-9B, N7909V, Marana, AZ, April 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1983, 19:20 local (Apr 9, 1983, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Marana, AZ
- Location: 32.4367° N, 111.2254° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marana, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4367&lon=-111.2254&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA189

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - nacelle/pylon - loose (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A FLT FROM QUANAH, TX TO CHANDLER, AZ TO DELIVER THE ACFT FOR A SALE. HE HAD BEEN ON THE FERRY FLT FOR 6 HRS WHEN HE LANDED AT MARANA, AZ. AFTER REFUELING, RAISING THE ENG COWL, INSPECTING THE ENG & WIPING OFF AN ACCUMULATION OF OIL, HE TOOK OFF. DURING THE CLIMB, WITHIN 1 MI OF THE ARPT, THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE COWL WAS LOOSE & WAS FLAPPING. IT WAS TWILIGHT & RWY 30 WAS UNLIGHTED, SO THE PLT COMMENCED A LOW, SLOW TURN TOWARD RWY 3. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ACFT'S LEFT WING IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN ON ARPT PROPERTY & THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED. DURING A POST-ACCIDENT INTERVIEW, THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, HE WAS TIRED & JUST 'GOOFED IT UP.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7909V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7909V-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 1557, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 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
- Serial number: 1557
- Airframe hours: 1340
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-G-1C5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: L. A. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1982, 48 hours before
- Destination: PIO, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: E14, Aura Valley, runway 30, 3,000 × 75 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,100 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,050 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830408015939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830408015939A), Apr 8, 1983: Airpts A9B, Marana, AZ, Destroyed. Engine cowling not properly secured, opened on takeoff. Dragged a wing and cartwheeled trying to return to land.

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.