# NTSB LAX85FA232: Aero Commander Callair A-9A, N7713V, Fremont, CA, April 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1985, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.500629, -121.960739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5006&lon=-121.9607&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): 24501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA232

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - false indication (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE LOCAL FLIGHT WAS TO TOW A GLIDER ALOFT TO A LAUNCH POINT. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NO MEMORY OF THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT MAKE A GO AROUND FORM SHORT FINAL AS A PEDESTRIAN WALKED ACROSS THE RUNWAY APPROACH END, AND THEN EXTEND A NON-STANDARD LEFT DOWNWIND PATTERN TO ALLOW SPACE FOR A GLIDER ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND TO LAND. AFTER THE ACFT TURNED FINAL, THE WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY 'PITCH 60 TO 75 DEGREES NOSE DOWN' AND ALMOST REGAINED A LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE AT GROUND IMPACT 2,300 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. TESTS OF THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR REVEALED THAT IT READ 13 MPH FAST AT THE ACFT'S POWER OFF STALL SPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7713V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7713V-1989-12-11), registration cancelled 1989-12-11, S/N 1465 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER CALLAIR A-9A (CALLAIR A-)
- Registry model: [Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-callair-a-9) (registry code 0144202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1465
- Airframe hours: 2871
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bret Willat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1985, 13 hours before
- Departed: 8Q7, FREMONT, CA
- Airport: 8Q7, Sky Sailing, runway 28, 1,840 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; 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: 5,570 total, 500 in this make and model, 5,368 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 8 nm away

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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