# NTSB SEA02FA036: Aero Commander 520, N520SE, Puyallup, WA, February 2, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: February 2, 2002, 10:33 local (18:33 UTC) - Place: Puyallup, WA - Coordinates: 47.106666, -122.289718 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1067&lon=-122.2897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation, Textron Lycoming, FAA-FSDO, Precision Engines Corp. - NTSB case key (mKey): 54125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02FA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54125/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54125 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02FA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. Trees were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engines had full power before rotation, and that the takeoff roll was normal until rotation. Right after the aircraft lifted off, the left wing dropped and he felt a swerve to the left, and the aircraft's nose pitched up. The pilot pushed on the control yoke and attempted to counteract the roll motion with opposite aileron. The aircraft continued to the left and collided with trees approximately 1,250 feet from the departure end of the runway and about 100 yards east of the runway edge. Post accident inspection of the flight controls found control continuity from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The left engine was inspected and partially torn down. During the engine inspection, there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 2, 2002, approximately 1033 Pacific standard time, an Aero Commander 520 airplane, N520SE, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees adjacent to runway 16 at Pierce County Airport-Thun Field, Puyallup, Washington. The pilot received minor injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained a serious injury. Visual meteorological conditions, with winds from 120 degrees true at 6 knots, were reported at McChord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington, at 0955, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local flight. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he had full power before rotation, and that the takeoff roll was normal until rotation. The pilot reported that right after rotation, the aircraft's left wing dropped and he felt a swerve to the left, and the aircraft's nose pitched up. The pilot stated that he reacted by pushing on the control yoke and attempting to counteract the motion with opposite aileron. He stated that he then saw he was not going to make it above the trees, so he tried to hit the trees as flat as possible, "like a belly flop." The pilot stated that he did not change the power setting on the engines, that he did not have time to feather either engine, and that he did not have a chance to look at the engine instruments during the accident sequence, since he was concentrating on flying the airplane. The pilot reported that he set the takeoff trim before takeoff to 15 degrees, and that he took off with 1/4 flaps. The pilot also reported that the aircraft had 140 gallons of fuel aboard at takeoff (he stated that full fuel is 150 gallons, with 145 gallons usable.) The passenger reported in a telephone interview with the NTSB IIC that the flight proceeded normally through the engine run up before takeoff. He stated that just prior to rotation, he looked at the engine tachometers and that they were matched (NOTE: the aircraft is equipped with a dual-needle engine tachometer, with two needles on a concentric axis that indicate on a single dial face.) The passenger stated that rotation was normal, but that the aircraft then swerved hard to the left during the initial climb (within 1 second of the main wheels leaving the ground.) The passenger stated that the aircraft stayed nose-high during the turn. The passenger reported that he did not notice any change in engine pitch until the aircraft started hitting the trees, and that it got quiet about that time. The passenger stated he did not know whether or not the left engine was running when the aircraft started the left turn, but that he was certain the right engine was running at high power until impact (or just before impact.) The passenger stated that he did not notice any other abnormal indications (such as loud noises, flashes, or bangs) preceding the abrupt left turn after rotation. The passenger reported that he stayed off the flight controls during the entire event, and did not know what control inputs the pilot made in response to the situation. A witness standing about mid-field and watching the aircraft takeoff, reported that after takeoff, the left wing dipped, and the aircraft began to yaw to the left. The nose pitched up and engine power seemed to reduce. The aircraft "fell into woods" traveling about 90 degrees to runway heading. PERSONNEL INFORMATION At the time of the accident the pilot held a private pilot certificate for single and multi-engine land aircraft. The pilot also held certificates for Flight Engineer in turbojet powered aircraft and airframe and powerplant. The pilot reported a total flight time of 5,000 hours in all aircraft with 2,500 hours as pilot-in-command. Approximately 1,500 hours were in multi-engine aircraft with 110 hours of pilot-in-command time in the accident aircraft. The pilot held a Class II medical certificate dated August 27, 1992, with a limitation to wear corrective lenses. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The accident aircraft, an Aero Commander 520, serial number 520-25, was manufactured in 1952. Two Lycoming GO-435-C2B engines were installed on the aircraft at the time. A review of maintenance records indicated that the last annual inspection/100 hours inspection was accomplished on September 29, 2001, at a total airframe time of 3,476.9 hours. The left engine, serial number L-2200-11-BA, indicated a total time since overhaul of 264.3 hours. The right engine, serial number L-2830-11A, indicated a total time since overhaul of 1,121.9 hours. Approximately 3 hours had been accumulated on the aircraft since the last inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The nearest weather reporting facility to the accident site was McChord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington, located eight miles southwest of the accident site, reported the weather at 0955 as a broken ceiling at 5,000 feet. Visibility was seven miles. The altimeter was 30.16" Hg. The winds were from 120 degrees at six knots. Temperature was three degree Celsius. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The accident site was located in the trees about 1,250 feet south of the north end of runway 16, a 3,650-by-60 foot runway, and about 100 yards east of the runway edge. A generally easterly path of broken trees was noted toward the crash site, and the aircraft had come to rest upright on a generally easterly heading. Both propellers were at low pitch and both exhibited some degree of tip curl, with the right propeller exhibiting somewhat more severe blade damage than the left propeller. The aircraft's gear and flaps appeared to be extended. The wreckage was removed from the trees and taken to the ramp area at the airport for further examination. Both wings remained attached to the wing roots. Both engines remained attached to the wings and encased in their respective nacelles. Both propeller assemblies remained attached to their respective crankshafts. Extensive leading edge impact damage was noted to both wings. The empennage/aft fuselage was twisted to the right. The vertical stabilizer remained attached. The rudder remained attached at the hinges. The horizontal stabilizers remained attached. The elevators remained attached at their respective hinges. During the airframe examination, flight control continuity was established from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The left engine was examined and partially torn down. During the examination, the crankshaft rotated easily. Gear and valve train continuity was established. Compression was developed in all cylinders. Both magnetos produced a spark from all towers. The airframe low-point drains and pressure carburetor inlet screens were clean and free of contaminants. Fuel was found at the inlet to the fuel pump and at the inlet to the pressure carburetor. Fuel was removed from various points along the fuel system and was found clean and clear. All spark plugs were removed and most of the electrodes were found to be dark grayish, or covered with slight dark soot. The three blades of the left side propeller displayed slight tip curls with minimal leading edge damage. One blade contacted the side of the fuselage during the accident sequence. TESTS AND RESEARCH The Bendix PS-5BD pressure carburetor, serial number 855493, was removed from the left engine for bench testing and inspection. On May 29, 2002, the unit was taken to Precision Airmotive, Everett, Washington. Initial inspection of the unit determined that it was flowable on the test bench. The unit was installed on the bench and during the test it was noted that the unit flowed slightly lean of specifications at low power test points, and within specification at the mid and high power test points to include the full power test point. The left engine fuel pump was removed for inspection and bench flow testing. On June ## Aircraft - Registration: [N520SE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N520SE-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 520-25, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 520 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 520](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-520) (registry code 0141202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 520-25 - Airframe hours: 3477 - Engines: Lycoming GO-435-C2B 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert M. Kosola - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 2001, 3 hours before - Departed: 1S0, Puyallup, WA - Airport: 1S0, Pierce Co-Thun Field, runway 16, 3,650 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; last flight review May 21, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,500 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: TCM, 8 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 20020202002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020202002199A), Feb 2, 2002: Gulstm 520, Kinston, NC, No damage. (-23) After thorough and normal runup and taxiing from south end of runway to northend pilot attempted takeoff. Shortly after rotation, the left engine began… ## Docket (24 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54125. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Written Statement via FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388482&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Written%20Statement%20via%20FAA%20Inspector-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation - Passenger (item 4, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388483&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20-%20Passenger-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 5, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388484&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Wreckage Location (item 6, .PDF, 455 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Location-Master.PDF - Record of Fuel Pump Bench Flow Test (item 7, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183239&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Fuel%20Pump%20Bench%20Flow%20Test-Master.PDF - Textron Lycoming Engine Report (item 8, .PDF, 231 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Textron%20Lycoming%20Engine%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Record of Bendix Pressure Carburetor Flow Check (item 9, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183241&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Bendix%20Pressure%20Carburetor%20Flow%20Check-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 10, .PDF, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Components (item 11, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388487&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Components-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. View of aircraft in the trees. No Negative (item 12, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20aircraft%20in%20the%20trees.%20%20No%20Negative-Master.PDF - Photo 2. View of broken tree tops along distribution path. No Negative (item 13, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20View%20of%20broken%20tree%20tops%20along%20distribution%20path.%20%20No%20Negative-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Forward right side of wreckage. No Negative (item 14, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Forward%20right%20side%20of%20wreckage.%20%20No%20Negative-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Forward view of wreckage. No Negative (item 15, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Forward%20view%20of%20wreckage.%20%20No%20Negative-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Forward view of wreckage. No Negative (item 16, .PDF, 231 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20Forward%20view%20of%20wreckage.%20%20No%20Negative-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Forward view of wreckage after recovery. Digital Image (item 17, .PDF, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20Forward%20view%20of%20wreckage%20after%20recovery.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Right side view of wreckage after recovery. Digital Image (item 18, .PDF, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20wreckage%20after%20recovery.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF - Photo 8. Rear view of wreckage after recovery. Digital Image (item 19, .PDF, 272 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183252&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20%20Rear%20view%20of%20wreckage%20after%20recovery.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF - Photo 9. Left side view of wreckage after recovery. Digital Image (item 20, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209.%20%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20wreckage%20after%20recovery.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF - Photo 10. Side view of left engine propeller. Digital Image (item 21, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010.%20%20Side%20view%20of%20left%20engine%20propeller.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF - Photo 11. Forward view of left engine propeller. Digital Image (item 22, .PDF, 215 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2011.%20%20Forward%20view%20of%20left%20engine%20propeller.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF - Photo 12. Forward view of right engine propeller. Digital Image (item 23, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183256&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2012.%20%20Forward%20view%20of%20right%20engine%20propeller.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF - Photo 13. Side view of right engine propeller. Digital Image (item 24, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40183257&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2013.%20%20Side%20view%20of%20right%20engine%20propeller.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.