- Date
- December 11, 1995, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place
- Memphis, TN
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Standing
- Aircraft
- N88MSAero Commander 112
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 29, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19951211043989A
- Case key
- 37957
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's and ground personnel's improper starting procedure. Contributing to the accident were the communications being not understood and inadequate training for both the pilot and ground personnel.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that he requested a ground power unit (gpu) to assist with the engine start. The FBO used a 28-volt, 800-AMP gpu. The airplane has a 12-volt system. The gpu was attached to the airplane, and after the battery switch was turned on the battery exploded and a fire ensued.
Factual narrative
On December 11, 1995, about 0730 central standard time, N88MS, an Aero Commander 112, registered to Hangar #2 Inc. experienced an explosion and fire on engine start at Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee, while initiating a 14 CFR Part 91 traffic show flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot and reporter/passenger reported no injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged by the explosion and the subsequent fire. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated he requested a ground power unit to assist with the engine start. The FBO used a 28 volt, 800 amp unit. The airplane has a 12-volt system. After the battery switch was turned on, the battery exploded, and a fire ensued.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N88MS
- Reported as
- Aero Commander 112
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 97
- Airframe hours
- 127
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-360-C1D6, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Jim Lofin
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 15, 1995 · 30 hours before
- Departed
- MEM
- Airport
- MEM · Memphis International
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 34
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2,779 total · 10 in this make and model · 680 as pilot in command · 161 in the last 90 days · 74 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 23 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MEM
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N88MS · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.