# NTSB MIA88FA223: Rockwell 100-180, N3603X, Paxton, FL, July 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1988, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Paxton, FL
- Location: 30.9726° N, 86.3118° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Paxton, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9726&lon=-86.3118&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32029
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32029/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA223

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT'S LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT AND HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS EXPIRED. PLT FAILED TO GET WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. PLT CONTINUED FLT INTO DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT A PRIVATE AIRPORT DUE TO WEATHER THE PLT COLLIDED WITH UNMARKED POWERLINES LOCATED IN THE APPROACH PATH TO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3603X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3603X-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 5076, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 100-180
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5076
- Airframe hours: 1849
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lewis, Jack Don
- Registered owner: Jan W. Willis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1988, 5 hours before
- Destination: X16, TAMPA, FL
- Airport: NONE, Ellis Strip, runway 15, 2,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 3 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEW, 15 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 19880716028489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880716028489A), Jul 16, 1988: Slinds 100180, Paxton, FL, Substantial damage. Struck two sets of unmarked wires on short final and impacted on the ag strip. No medical and license was revoked.

## Other investigations on N3603X (1)

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 CHI72DEM63](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DEM63), Apr 30, 1972: Aero Comdr 100 (N3603X), Cedar Lake, MI, 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.

---
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.