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NTSB Report
December 12, 1986 · Aero Commander 500B · N116CA
Hagerstown, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Hagerstown, IN
Aircraft
Aero Commander 500B
Tail Number
N116CA
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI87DEX04
THE PILOT WAS ON THE FOURTH LEG OF A NIGHT CARGO FLIGHT CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 500' AGL ENROUTE TO MT. VERNON, IL, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOME TREES AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE ENGINES AND PROPELLERS WERE BOTH TORN DOWN AND TESTED AND NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION WAS DISCOVERED. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT RECALL THE CRASH SEQUENCE AT ALL. THE PILOT WAS WEARING A 'WALKMAN' RADIO AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE STATED IT WAS TO HELP KEEP HIM AWAKE, BECAUSE HE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP AT TIMES IN THE PAST WHILE FLYING NIGHT CARGO.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS ON THE FOURTH LEG OF A NIGHT CARGO FLIGHT CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 500' AGL ENROUTE TO MT. VERNON, IL, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOME TREES AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE ENGINES AND PROPELLERS WERE BOTH TORN DOWN AND TESTED AND NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION WAS DISCOVERED. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT RECALL THE CRASH SEQUENCE AT ALL. THE PILOT WAS WEARING A 'WALKMAN' RADIO AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE STATED IT WAS TO HELP KEEP HIM AWAKE, BECAUSE HE HAD FALLEN ASLEEP AT TIMES IN THE PAST WHILE FLYING NIGHT CARGO.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:24 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAero Commander 500B
Tail NumberN116CA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-E1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind22° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC