# NTSB MIA82DA084: Rockwell Commander AC-100, N3870X, Chipley, FL, March 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1982, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Chipley, FL
- Coordinates: 30.769992, -85.540885 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7700&lon=-85.5409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA084

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT/MECHANIC WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT FROM WHERE THE OWNER KEPT THE AIRCRAFT TO THE MAINTAINANCE FACILITY APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST AFTER LEVEL OFF THE ENGINE QUIT. A ROAD WAS SELECTED TO LAND ON BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN A NEARBY FIELD DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AFTER CLEARING SOME TREES THE AIRCRAFT LOST AIRSPEED AND STALLED ABOUT 10 FEET OFF THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL STRAINER WAS FULL OF WATER. THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT FLOWN FOR 5 MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3870X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3870X-1992-09-02), registration cancelled 1992-09-02, S/N 167 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL COMMANDER AC-100
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (registry code 0140202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 167
- Airframe hours: 885
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: John E. Crutchfield
- Registered owner: John E. Crutchfield
- Departed: CHIPLEY, FL
- Destination: CHIPLEY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 155 total, 80 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 153 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 35 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 19820324008129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820324008129A), Mar 24, 1982: Slinds 100A, Chipley, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on short ferry flight. Water in fuel system. Airplane not flown recently. Parked outside.

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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