# NTSB MIA85FA248: Aero Commander 100, N3684X, Oak Hill, FL, September 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1985, 19:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Oak Hill, FL
- Coordinates: 28.860349, -80.850524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8603&lon=-80.8505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA248

## 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
  - fuel system - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING HIS FIRST FLT IN HIS RECENTLY PURCHASED ACFT. THE PLT STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FULL PRIOR TO TAKE-OFF. APPROXIMATELY 20 MINS AFTER TAKE-OFF, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO SWITCH FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK. SECONDS LATER, THE ENG LOST POWER & ALL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENG FAILED. AN EMERG DESCENT WAS ESTABLISHED & THEACFT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED & THE PLT & HIS PAX SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE PLT STATED THAT APRX ONEMONTH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD DRAINED APRX ONE PINT OFWATER FROM THE SINGLE DRAIN POINT IN THE FUEL SYST. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE STATED THAT HE HAD DRAINED THE FUEL SUMP DURING THE PREFLT INSPECTION & DID NOT OBSERVE ANY WATER. ALTHOUGH BOTH FUEL TANKS RUPTERED ON IMPACT. AN EXAM OF THE LEFT TANK REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3684X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3684X-2012-11-08), registration cancelled 2012-11-08, S/N 326, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (registry code 0140202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 326
- Airframe hours: 1832
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Clark, III
- Registered owner: Modern Home Log Supply, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1985, 3 hours before
- Departed: X21, TITUSVILLE, FL
- Destination: 34J, NEW SMYRNA BCH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 924 total, 857 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 22 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 19850909075389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850909075389A), Sep 9, 1985: Slinds 100ACMDR, Oak Hill, FL, Destroyed. Struck trees after fuel selector was moved and engine quit. Water in tanks. No wing sumps. No n number on aircraft.

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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