# NTSB LAX83LA452: Aero Commander 100, N3636X, Palm Springs, CA, September 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1983, 09:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.850299, -116.559448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8503&lon=-116.5594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA452
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA452

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WX. HE WAS AN INSTRUMENT PLT, BUT HAD CHOSEN NOT TO FILE & FLY UNDER IFR DUE TO TERRAIN, WX, LOW PERFORMANCE OF THE ACFT & LACK OF PITOT HEAT. THE PLT NOTED A CEILING AT 5500 FT MSL WHEN HE CROSSED BANNING PASS. HE SAW DARK CLOUDS & HEAVY RAIN IN THE PALM SPRINGS & BERMUDA DUNES AREA. THE MOUNTAINS NORTH OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS WERE COVERED WITH CLOUDS, SO HE TRIED TO GET THRU YUCCA VALLEY WHERE THE WX LOOKED BETTER. HOWEVER, LOW CEILINGS & RAIN WERE ENCOUNTERED, SO THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG TURN TO RETURN TO RIVERSIDE, CA. HE SOON ENCOUNTERED 'A FAST WESTERLY MOVING MASS OF CLOUDS THAT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND.' DUE TO THE SPEED OF THE STORM, HE WAS FORCED TO LAND QUICKLY & ELECTED TO LAND DOWNWIND ON A ROAD. HOWEVER, OVERFLEW THE ROAD & LANDED IN A ROCKY WASH AREA, EXTENSIVELY DAMAGING THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3636X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3636X-1988-09-08), registration cancelled 1988-09-08, S/N 336 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (registry code 0140202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 336
- Airframe hours: 1011
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lake Ranch, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 2, 1983, 42 hours before
- Departed: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: P20, PARKER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,825 total, 117 in this make and model, 1,651 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 12 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 19830920050129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830920050129A), Sep 20, 1983: Slinds 100ACMDR, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Became trapped in area of rapidly worsening weather in mountain terrain. Struck rocks during precautionary landing.

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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