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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

September 16, 1988 · Aero Commander 500B · N1189Z

Hays, KS

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 16, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hays, KS
Aircraft
Aero Commander 500B
Tail Number
N1189Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC88FA173

ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER LANDING, DRG A CARGO OPN, THE PLT WAS PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A NORMAL START OF THE RGT ENG. HE ATTEMPTED TO START (AIR START) THE ENG BY WINDMILLING THE PROP ON A TAKEOFF TYPE OF RUN. HOWEVER, DRG THE ATTEMPT, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT & IT VEERED OFF THE RWY, CROSSED A TWY & WENT THRU A BOUNDRY FENCE BEFORE STOPPING. IT CAME TO REST, 160 DEG FROM THE RWY HDG. NO PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

OPERATION ATTEMPTED WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS: THE PILOT'S USE OF AN IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE & THE FENCE.

Full Narrative

ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER LANDING, DRG A CARGO OPN, THE PLT WAS PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LEG OF THE FLT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A NORMAL START OF THE RGT ENG. HE ATTEMPTED TO START (AIR START) THE ENG BY WINDMILLING THE PROP ON A TAKEOFF TYPE OF RUN. HOWEVER, DRG THE ATTEMPT, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT & IT VEERED OFF THE RWY, CROSSED A TWY & WENT THRU A BOUNDRY FENCE BEFORE STOPPING. IT CAME TO REST, 160 DEG FROM THE RWY HDG. NO PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHAYS (0nm N)
Runway34
Runway Length6300 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander 500B
Tail NumberN1189Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-E1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data