# NTSB MKC88LA127: Aero Commander 100-180, N3738X, Lowell, AR, July 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1988, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Lowell, AR
- Coordinates: 36.369808, -94.580894 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3698&lon=-94.5809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT ONE HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. HE REDUCED THE POWER TO 2000 RPM & ENRICHED THE MIXTURE. HE CONTINUED FLYING FOR ABOUT ANOTHER HOUR, THEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A FRONTAGE ROAD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH IT.  THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT TOUCHED DOWN ON ROUGH TERRAIN JUST SHORT OF THE ROAD. AN EXAM REVEALED THE EXHAUST & INTAKE VALVES AT THE #4 CYLINDER HAD STUCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3738X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3738X-1994-09-21), registration cancelled 1994-09-21, S/N 5047 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100-180
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5047
- Airframe hours: 2109
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sameul T. Hucke
- Registered owner: Hucke, Samuel T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MO85, HARRISONVILLE, MO
- Destination: ASG, SPRINGDALE, AR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,125 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19880715026839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880715026839A), Jul 15, 1988: Slinds 100180, Lowell, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power and stalled at 25 feet trying to land on a road. Found exhaust and intake valves were stuck.

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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