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NTSB Report
August 24, 1988 · Aero Commander 100-180 · N4175X
John Day, OR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
John Day, OR
Aircraft
Aero Commander 100-180
Tail Number
N4175X
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA88FA160
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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAero Commander 100-180
Tail NumberN4175X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A2F · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:46
Weather SourceWFAC