# NTSB SEA82FYM09: Rockwell Comdr 112TCA, N4660W, Aurora, OR, February 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1982, 16:15 local (Feb 8, 1982, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, OR
- Coordinates: 45.230293, -122.799255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2303&lon=-122.7993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FYM09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYM09

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,elevator tab - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - improper transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE PLANE WAS OBSERVED TO ROTATE TO A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THEN ROLL INTO A STEEP BANK, GO INTO A DESCENT, AND CRASH. DURING THE DESCENT, IT ROLLED TO A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE BEFORE IMPACTING WITH THE NOSE SLIGHTLY DOWN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE EXCEPT THAT THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS INOPERATIVE. THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS FOUND IN A NOSE DOWN POSITION. THE OWNER REPORTED THE TRIM BUTTON WAS INOPERATIVE, SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SET MANUALLY. THE PILOT'S SEAT FAILED DURING IMPACT. IMPACT MARKS REVEALED IT WAS IN THE 9TH POSITION FROM FULL FORWARD WHICH WAS 9 1/8 INCHES FROM THE FRONT OF THE SEAT TRACK TO THE FRONT ROLLER. THE 13TH POSITION WOULD HAVE BEEN FULL AFT. THE INVESTIGATOR WAS ABOUT THE SAME HEIGHT AS THE PILOT. HE REPORTED HE COULD MOVE THE CONTROL WHEEL AND RUDDER WITH NO PROBLEM WHEN CHECKED WITH THE SEAT FULL AFT IN A SIMILAR AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT HAD ONLY ONE OTHER FLIGHT IN THAT MAKE AND MODEL AS PIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4660W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4660W-1990-01-02), registration cancelled 1990-01-02, S/N 13190 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL COMDR 112TCA
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112TCA](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112tca) (registry code 7630307) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13190
- Airframe hours: 456
- Engines: LYCOMING TO-360-C1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis Yates
- Registered owner: Dennis Yates
- Departed: 3S2, AURORA, OR
- Destination: 0REG0N CITY, OR
- Airport: 3S2, Aurora

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,000 total, 3 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots

## 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 19820207003079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820207003079A), Feb 7, 1982: Rkwell 112TCA, Aurora, OR, Substantial damage. Airplane pitched up in steep climb on takeoff, stalled. Ground impact in level flight. Possible loose seat problem.

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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