# NTSB MKC88FA173: Aero Commander 500B, N1189Z, Hays, KS, September 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1988, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Hays, KS
- Coordinates: 38.869132, -99.310997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8691&lon=-99.3110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA173

## Probable cause

OPERATION ATTEMPTED WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS:  THE PILOT'S USE OF AN IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE & THE FENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - 1 engine - inoperative
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER LANDING, DRG A CARGO OPN, THE PLT WAS PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A NORMAL START OF THE RGT ENG. HE ATTEMPTED TO START (AIR START) THE ENG BY WINDMILLING THE PROP ON A TAKEOFF TYPE OF RUN. HOWEVER, DRG THE ATTEMPT, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT & IT VEERED OFF THE RWY, CROSSED A TWY & WENT THRU A BOUNDRY FENCE BEFORE STOPPING. IT CAME TO REST, 160 DEG FROM THE RWY HDG. NO PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1189Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1189Z-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 1559199 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 500B
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 500-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-500-b) (registry code 0141106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1559-199
- Airframe hours: 9862
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Central Air Southwest
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 9, 1988
- Departed: HYS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HYS, Hays, runway 34, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,967 total, 2,328 in this make and model, 3,806 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RSL, 25 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 19880916044799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880916044799A), Sep 16, 1988: Gulstm 500B, Hays, KS, Substantial damage. Unable start right engine. Appears vapor locked. Tried to take off on one engine. Veered off runway through a fence

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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