# NTSB SEA88FA160: Aero Commander 100-180, N4175X, John Day, OR, August 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1988, 17:15 local (Aug 24, 1988, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.420112, -118.940078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4201&lon=-118.9401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA160

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - leaded (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - worn (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE ELK SPOTTING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES IN A NOSE LOW TURN SIMILAR TO THE INTERMEDIATE STAGES OF A STALL. A SEVERE POST IMPACT FIRE ERUPTED. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE ELEVATION WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,100 FEET. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE FOUND TO BE EXCESSIVELY WORN AND FIRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING TESTING. TWO OF THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FOUND TO BE LEAD FOULED. THE FLAPS WERE FOUND IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION AND TREE LIMBS, APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER, WERE FOUND WITH SMOOTH SLASHES DIAGONALLY THROUGH THEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4175X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4175X-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 5029, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 100-180
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 100-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-100-180) (registry code 0140208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5029
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William W. Manley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1987
- Departed: U33, JOHN DAY, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Observed at: U33, 16 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 19880823035109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880823035109A), Aug 23, 1988: Slinds 100180, John Day, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Spotting elk at low altitude. Stalled into trees due to high density altitude. Power loss from fouled spark plug.

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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