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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 7, 1997 · Aero Commander 100 · N87770

Knights Landing, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Knights Landing, CA
Aircraft
Aero Commander 100
Tail Number
N87770
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA144

The pilot was landing for the first time at a 1,500-foot-long duster strip, and stated that because of the shortness of the runway and the potential for automobile cross traffic at the other end, he attempted a short field landing. However, the approach end of the runway had a dirt berm across it and it was hard to judge the height. As he approached the berm he added power to clear it, but the plane stalled about 6 to 7 feet agl and landed hard. It bounced and turned left colliding with a metal storage shed.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain minimum control airspeed during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing.

Full Narrative

On April 7, 1997, at 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 100, N87770, was substantially damaged during landing at a private airstrip 1 mile north of Knights Landing, California. The aircraft was being operated by the owner/pilot and he was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Concord, California, at 1050. The pilot was landing for the first time at a 1,500-foot-long duster strip. He departed from a 4,400-foot-long runway at his home base, and stated that because of the shortness of the runway and the potential for automobile cross traffic at the other end, he attempted a short field landing. However, the approach end of the runway had a dirt berm across it and it was hard to judge the height. As he approached the berm he added power to clear it, but the airplane stalled about 6 to 7 feet agl and landed hard. The airplane bounced and turned left colliding with a metal storage shed. The pilot reported the winds were calm at the time of the landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 PDT
Nearest AirportSun Rise Dusters, Inc (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander 100
Tail NumberN87770
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 46
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data