# NTSB SEA02LA143: Aero Commander 100, N3766X, Quincy, WA, August 3, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 2002, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Quincy, WA - Coordinates: 47.211666, -119.844169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2117&lon=-119.8442&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55399 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55399/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the descent for landing. A proper glide path was not attained, inadequate remedial action, and a fence were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence (contributing factor) - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that the aircraft was slightly above the glide path while on final approach, at 80 mph indicated airspeed. The aircraft had 10 degrees of flaps extended. The pilot increased flap extension to 20 degrees, and noted a sudden and severe descent rate. The pilot added power, however, the descent rate was not arrested and the aircraft touched down approximately 150 feet short of the runway. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with a fence, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft subsequently nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The winds were reported as calm with no turbulence. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2002, approximately 0900 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 100, N3766X, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence short of the runway at Quincy Municipal Airport, Quincy, Washington, and subsequently nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot received minor injuries. The two passengers were not injured. The flight departed from Tonasket, Washington, about one hour and 30 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the aircraft was slightly above glide path while on final approach for runway 27, at 80 MPH indicated airspeed. The aircraft had 10 degrees of flaps extended. The pilot increased flap extension to 20 degrees, and noted a sudden and severe descent rate. The pilot added power, however, the descent rate was not arrested and the aircraft touched down approximately 150 feet short of the runway. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with a fence. The nose gear separated and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported the weather at the time of the accident as calm winds and no turbulence. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported with the aircraft at the time. At 0852, Moses Lake, Washington, METAR located 17 nautical miles southwest of Quincy, was reporting the weather as clear with winds from 190 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3766X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3766X-2004-09-28), registration cancelled 2004-09-28, S/N 257, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 100 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 100](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100) (registry code 0140202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 257 - Airframe hours: 2638 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David B. Hanna - Registered owner: David B. Hanna & Robert L. Couch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2002, 3 hours before - Departed: W01, Tonasket, WA - Destination: 80T, Quincy, WA - Airport: 80T, Quincy, runway 27, 3,660 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 2, 1997; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 63 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KMWH, 17 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 20020803023099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020803023099A), Aug 3, 2002: Slinds 100ACMDR, Hadlock, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that while on final approach to runway 27, the aircraft's descent rate increased. The pilot added power, however the descent rate was not… 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.