# NTSB NYC84FA033: Aero Commander 500B, N6226X, Franklin, PA, November 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1983, 18:19 local (23:19 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, PA
- Coordinates: 41.370826, -79.370239 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3708&lon=-79.3702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, other
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING YOUNGSTOWN, OH, THE PLT FILED 2 IFR FLT PLANS, 1 FOR A FLT TO PLATTSBURGH, NY, THE OTHER FOR A RETURN FLT FROM PLATTSBURGH BACK TO YOUNGSTOWN. AFTER A 2 HR & 10 MIN FLT TO PLATTSBURGH, 70 GAL OF FUEL WAS ADDED, BUT THE PERSON WHO SERVICED THE ACFT INDICATED THE TANKS WERE NOT FULL AFTER SERVICING. THE PLANE THEN MADE A 10 MIN FLT TO BURLINGTON, VT, BUT NO FUEL WAS ADDED AT BURLINGTON,,THE PLT THEN TOOK OFF ON A RETURN FLT TO YOUNGSTOWN. DURING THE DESCENT PHASE TO YOUNGSTOWN, THE PLT REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE CLOSEST ARPT. HE WAS PROVIDE VECTORS TO THE CHESS-LAMBERTON ARPT & ADVISED IT WAS 6 MI AWAY. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE PLT SAID THE ACFT HAD LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY,IT CRASHED IN ROLLING, WOODED TERRAIN. DURING AN EXAM, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT. NO OTHER EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTIONOR FAILURE WAS FOUND. WITH THE PASSENGER & CARGO LOAD, A MAXIMUM OF ABOUT 104 GAL OF FUEL COULD HAVE BEEN USED WITHOUT EXCEEDING THE CERTIFICATED GROSS WT OF THE ACFT. AT 45 TO 55% POWER, THE ACFT BURNED 17 TO 22 GAL PER HR. WND GSTS 30 KT

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6226X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6226X-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 500A-1098-52, built 1961 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 500A-1098-52
- Airframe hours: 5421
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-E1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walley Construction Co. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1983
- Departed: BTV, BURLINGTON, VT
- Destination: YNG, YOUNGSTOWN, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,527 total, 33 in this make and model, 1,282 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FKL, 5 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 19831120058129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831120058129A), Nov 20, 1983: Gulstm 500B, Franklin, PA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Pilot reported engines quit during radar vectors to nearest airport. No fuel found in tanks at crash site.

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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