# NTSB MIA92FA004: Aero Commander 100, N3673X, Carrabelle, FL, October 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1991, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Carrabelle, FL
- Coordinates: 29.840492, -84.669616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8405&lon=-84.6696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA004

## Probable cause

THE NON INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (THUNDERSTORM) AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VSO) WHILE MANEUVERING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING AND TO ENSURE THAT REQUIRED VFR DAY FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS WERE INSTALLED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - meteorological service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight/navigation instrument(s) - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT DEPARTED ON A VFR CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT WITHOUT OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING.  THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE REQUIRED VFR DAY FLIGHT EQUIPMENT.  THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A THUNDERSTORM.  WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VSO). THIS RESULTED IN STALL/SPIN, AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3673X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3673X-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 319, 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: 319
- Airframe hours: 2799
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald R. Chilton
- Registered owner: James D. Frame
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1988, 207 hours before
- Departed: F47, ST. JORGE ISL., FL
- Destination: 2J9, QUINCY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 497.7 total, 248.1 in this make and model, 446.6 as pilot in command, 8.1 in the last 90 days, 5.3 in the last 30 days, 0.3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AQQ, 17 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 19911005044899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911005044899A), Oct 5, 1991: Slinds 100ACMDR, Carrabelle, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into thunderstrom area. Lost control and crashed. VFR pilot,unairworthy aircraft. No gyros. No weather briefing

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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