# NTSB LAX97LA144: Aero Commander 100, N87770, Knights Landing, CA, April 7, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1997, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Knights Landing, CA
- Coordinates: 38.890655, -121.800361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8907&lon=-121.8004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA144

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain minimum control airspeed during the approach.  Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The pilot was landing for the first time at a 1,500-foot-long duster strip, and stated that because of the shortness of the runway and the potential for automobile cross traffic at the other end, he attempted a short field landing. However, the approach end of the runway had a dirt berm across it and it was hard to judge the height.  As he approached the berm he added power to clear it, but the plane stalled about 6 to 7 feet agl and landed hard.  It bounced and turned left colliding with a metal storage shed.

## Factual narrative

On April 7, 1997, at 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 100, N87770, was substantially damaged during landing at a private airstrip 1 mile north of Knights Landing, California.  The aircraft was being operated by the owner/pilot and he was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight and a VFR flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at Concord, California, at 1050.

The pilot was landing for the first time at a 1,500-foot-long duster strip.  He departed from a 4,400-foot-long runway at his home base, and stated that because of the shortness of the runway and the potential for automobile cross traffic at the other end, he attempted a short field landing.  However, the approach end of the runway had a dirt berm across it and it was hard to judge the height.  As he approached the berm he added power to clear it, but the airplane stalled about 6 to 7 feet agl and landed hard.  The airplane bounced and turned left colliding with a metal storage shed.  The pilot reported the winds were calm at the time of the landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87770](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87770-1999-11-01), registration cancelled 1999-11-01, S/N 328 (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: 328
- Airframe hours: 2243
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Billy J. Boydstun
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1997, 9 hours before
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Destination: NONE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Sun Rise Dusters, Inc

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 213 total, 42 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Observed at: KSM

## 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 19970407005259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970407005259A), Apr 7, 1997: Aerocd 100, Knights Landing, CA, Substantial damage. Narrative: on April 7, 1997, at 1130 hours pacific daylight time, an aero commander 100, N87770, was substantially damaged during Landing at a private airstrip…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.