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NTSB Report

March 31, 1984 · Aero Commander 500-B · N743W

Miles City, MT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Miles City, MT
Aircraft
Aero Commander 500-B
Tail Number
N743W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN84FA121

THE PLT SAID THAT WHEN HE CALLED ON THE RADIO PRIOR TO THE APPROACH FOR AN ALTIMETER SETTING THE REPLY WAS '30.11 OR 30.12, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.' THE ACFT ALTIMETER WAS FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT SET AT 30.22 INCHES OF MERCURY. THE VISIBILITY WAS DESCRIBED AS 1 AND 1/2 MILES IN SNOW SHOWERS. HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH 'BECAUSE MINIMUMS ARE ONE MILE.' HE DESCENDED OUTBOUND TO 4500 FT. MINIMUM PROCEDURE TURN ALT IS 4700 FT MSL. THE PLT THEN DESCENDED TO 3700 FT MSL AS HEAPPROACHED THE VOR. POWER WAS REDUCED TO 17-18 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE AND AIRSPEED REDUCED TO 120 KTS. AS THE VOR WAS CROSSED HE GLANCED AT THE ALTIMETER AND 'THE HANDS WERE IN THE TWO O'CLOCK POSITION.' LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND APPROACH FLAPS SET. THE PLT SAID ALL SEEMED NORMAL. HE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW 'WISPY CLOUDS GOING BY RAPIDLY. THEN THERE WERE THE SOUNDS OF IMPACT.' THE NEXT THING REMEMBERED WAS THE SOUND OF DRIPPING GASOLINE. THE PLT SAID HE CRAWLED OUT OF THE COCKPIT WINDOW AND WANDERED 'FOR A COUPLE HOURS TRYING TO CHASE DOWN THE SEARCH LIGHTS.'

Full Narrative

THE PLT SAID THAT WHEN HE CALLED ON THE RADIO PRIOR TO THE APPROACH FOR AN ALTIMETER SETTING THE REPLY WAS '30.11 OR 30.12, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.' THE ACFT ALTIMETER WAS FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT SET AT 30.22 INCHES OF MERCURY. THE VISIBILITY WAS DESCRIBED AS 1 AND 1/2 MILES IN SNOW SHOWERS. HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH 'BECAUSE MINIMUMS ARE ONE MILE.' HE DESCENDED OUTBOUND TO 4500 FT. MINIMUM PROCEDURE TURN ALT IS 4700 FT MSL. THE PLT THEN DESCENDED TO 3700 FT MSL AS HEAPPROACHED THE VOR. POWER WAS REDUCED TO 17-18 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE AND AIRSPEED REDUCED TO 120 KTS. AS THE VOR WAS CROSSED HE GLANCED AT THE ALTIMETER AND 'THE HANDS WERE IN THE TWO O'CLOCK POSITION.' LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED AND APPROACH FLAPS SET. THE PLT SAID ALL SEEMED NORMAL. HE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW 'WISPY CLOUDS GOING BY RAPIDLY. THEN THERE WERE THE SOUNDS OF IMPACT.' THE NEXT THING REMEMBERED WAS THE SOUND OF DRIPPING GASOLINE. THE PLT SAID HE CRAWLED OUT OF THE COCKPIT WINDOW AND WANDERED 'FOR A COUPLE HOURS TRYING TO CHASE DOWN THE SEARCH LIGHTS.'

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:03 MST
Nearest AirportFrank Wiley (2nm S)
Runway12
Runway Length5602 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander 500-B
Tail NumberN743W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-B1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind100° @ 12 kt
Ceiling1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:09
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data