# NTSB MIA92LA181: Aero Commander 100, N3791X, Panacea, FL, September 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1992, 13:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Panacea, FL
- Coordinates: 30.030374, -84.380569 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0304&lon=-84.3806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33135/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA181

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR PUSH/PULL ROD END BEARING FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - landing gear,steering system - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,steering system - undetermined (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.  EXAM OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE ROD END BEARING ATTACHED TO THE SINGLE STEERING PUSH/PULL ROD, SEPARATED.  THIS ALLOWED THE NOSE LANDING GEAR TO ROTATE 90 DEGREES TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE ROD END BEARING WAS NOT LOCATED.  THE PUSH/PULL ROD WAS NOT EXAMINED THEREFORE NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3791X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3791X-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 287, built 1968 (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: 287
- Airframe hours: 1920
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fragos, John
- Registered owner: Fragos, John
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1991, 50 hours before
- Departed: 40J, PERRY, FL
- Destination: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL
- Airport: 2J0, Wakulla County, runway 18, 2,880 × 170 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,800 total, 300 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 24 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 19920915040809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920915040809A), Sep 15, 1992: Slinds 100A, Panacea, FL, Substantial damage. Nose steering rod failed landing in quartering tailwind. Nose wheel castered caused nose gear collapse. Nose over.

## Other investigations on N3791X (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 CHI70F0030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70F0030), Jun 21, 1969: Aero Comdr 100 (N3791X), Wilmington, OH, 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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