# NTSB MIA84LA227: Aero Commander 520, N7834, Stuart, FL, August 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1984, 19:53 local (23:53 UTC)
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Coordinates: 26.779005, -80.05989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7790&lon=-80.0599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA227

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tire - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,total (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY DURING TAKEOFF. THE ACFT TIRES WERE GROSSLY UNDER INFLATED AND THE TURF RWY WAS WET AND SOFT. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT MADE AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF WITHOUT USING THE ENTIRE RWY LENGTH. AFTER THE COLLISION THE ACFTS RT ENGINE FAILED AND WAS FEATHERED. THE PLT THEN FLEW TO STUART ARPT WHERE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIP WAS AVAILABLE. HE SAID THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED ON LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT BY A LOCAL MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE RT ENG WAS SEIZED WITH THE OIL COOLER CRUSHED AND RUPTURED REARWARD. NO OIL WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE TIRE PRESSURES WERE: NOSE-5 PSI, LEFT MAIN-20 PSI, RIGHT MAIN-18 PSI. NORMAL PRESSURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN 60 PSI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7834](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7834-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 520-92, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 520
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 520](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-520) (registry code 0141202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 520-92
- Airframe hours: 4303
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-C2 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry J. Basham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1984
- Departed: X58, INDIANTOWN, FL
- Destination: SUA, STUART, FL
- Airport: SUA, Stuart, runway 20, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 32 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 14 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 19840814073149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840814073149A), Aug 14, 1984: Gulstm 520, Stuart, FL, Substantial damage. Hit wire fence on takeoff. Overshot landing. Refused breathalyzer test. Jailed by sheriff.

## Other investigations on N7834 (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI67F0641](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0641), Apr 3, 1967: Aero Comdr 520 (N7834), Rockford, IL, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW66F0458](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0458), Dec 6, 1965: Aero Cmdr 520 (N7834), Cleo Springs, OK, substantial damage

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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