# NTSB LAX88LA090: Aero Commander 200D, N2977T, Chico, CA, January 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1988, 19:00 local (Jan 17, 1988, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Chico, CA
- Coordinates: 39.739723, -121.830245 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7397&lon=-121.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA090

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - instrument light(s) - fluctuating (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT, WHILE IN THE PATTERN TURNING FROM BASE TO FINAL, THE PLT STATED THAT THE ARPT ENVIRONMENT WAS LOST. AT THE SAME TIME, THE INSTRUMENT WHITE LIGHTS, UNDER THE GLARESHIELD BEGAN TO FLICKER WHICH DROWNED OUT THE NORMAL INSTRUMENT LIGHTING. THE PLT DOES NOT REMEMBER THE OCCURRENCES FROM APRX 1000 FT AGL WHILE TURNING TO FINAL TO THE TIME THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, APRX 1 MILE SHORT OF THE RWY. OTHER THAN THE FLICKERING LIGHTS, THERE WERE NO OTHER MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2977T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2977T-1989-01-05), registration cancelled 1989-01-05, S/N 350 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 200D
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 200D](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-200d) (registry code 0140312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 350
- Airframe hours: 1646
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clark, Robert R.
- Registered owner: Clark, Robert R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 4, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA
- Destination: CIC, CHICO, CA
- Airport: CIC, Chico, runway 13, 6,724 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,630 total, 800 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 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 19880116000689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880116000689A), Jan 16, 1988: Propjt 200D, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control of aircraft while turning to final approach and crashed. Blamed bright panel lights and lost reference

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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