# NTSB SEA87FA149: Aero Commander 560-A, N2794B, Ashland, OR, July 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1987, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, OR
- Coordinates: 42.149978, -122.530426 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1500&lon=-122.5304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA149

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF IN OVERCAST WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FLEW TOWARD A MOUNTAIN PASS THAT WAS OBSCURED IN CLOUDS. WHEN THE FLIGHT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT THE DESTINATION, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED AND THE WRECKAGE LOCATED IN A BOX CANYON ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN RIDGELINE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD IMPACTED IN A VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2794B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2794B-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N 294 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 560-A
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 560-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-560-a) (registry code 0141404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 294
- Airframe hours: 2179
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-D1A 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jess Lee Terry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1986, 27 hours before
- Departed: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Destination: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 923 total, 206 in this make and model, 830 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFR, 14 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 19870722040249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870722040249A), Jul 22, 1987: Gulstm 560A, Ashland, OR, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Tried to fly through cloud obscured mountains. Impacted in a box canyon. Was advised mountains obscured.

## Other investigations on N2794B (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK73AP046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73AP046), Jun 26, 1973: Aero Comdr 560-A (N2794B), Orovada, NV, substantial damage

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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