# NTSB LAX85FA269: Aero Commander 1121, N69GT, Van Nuys, CA, June 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1985, 07:31 local (14:31 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Location: 34.1867° N, 118.4490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Nuys, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1867&lon=-118.4490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA269

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - hydraulic system,reservoir - low level (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - not possible, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - brakes(emergency) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)
  - reversers - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT, EXECUTING AND ILS APCH, OBSERVED A PRIMARY HYDRAULIC PRESSURE DROP AND DECLARED HIS INTENT TO LAND WITHOUT THE USE OF FLAPS, SPEED BRAKES, REVERSERS OR NOSE WHEEL STEERING. THE ACFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RWY DURING LANDING, TRAVELED APRX 1300 FT AND CAME TO REST ON A GOLF COURSE AFTER STRIKING 2 VEHICLES AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED .8 QUARTS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID (SKYDROL) IN THE RESERVOIR. RESERVOIR CAPACITY IS 1.28 U.S. GALLONS. THE PLT STATED HE PUMPED THE BRAKES ON APCH TO BUILD PRESSURE IN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. THE PLT ANNOUNCED HE HAD NO BRAKED AFTER TOUCHDOWN. THE JET COMMANDER 1121 OPERATOR'S MANUAL CAUTIONS AGAINST THIS PRACTICE. A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE THRUST REVERSERS BY ON-SCENE INVESTIGATORS PRODUCED 2 COMPLETE CYCLES OF OPERATION. TWO PERSONS LOCATED IN A GROUND VEHICLE WERE INJURED DURING THE OVERRUN LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N69GT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 1121
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44
- Engines: GE CJ-610-1 2850 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: James E. Mayfield
- Registered owner: Midwest Jet Sales, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: TUC, TUCSON, AZ
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16R, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 90 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 1 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 19850611023949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850611023949A), Jun 11, 1985: Israel 1121, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Lost hydraulic pressure, low fluid quantity. Lost brakes on no flap landing by pumping brakes. Overshot the runway.

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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