# NTSB LAX86LA347: Aero Commander 100, N3879X, Rio Linda, CA, September 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1986, 18:22 local (Sep 14, 1986, 01:22 UTC)
- Place: Rio Linda, CA
- Coordinates: 38.679653, -121.340744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6797&lon=-121.3407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA347
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA347

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil line - fatigue (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES NORTH OF RIO LINDA AIRPORT. THREE MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND THE PILOT INITIATED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A RICE FIELD. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR DUG INTO THE SOFT DIRT, BROKE OFF AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A 16TH INCH COPPER LINE BETWEEN THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAGE FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3879X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182
- Airframe hours: 1816
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary Curry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1986, 34 hours before
- Departed: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA
- Destination: Q94, MARYSVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 302 total, 295 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °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 19860913044969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860913044969A), Sep 13, 1986: Slinds 100ACMDR, Rio Linda, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost oil pressure and failed inflight. Aircraft nosed over on landing. Oil indicator system tube was broken.

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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