Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

June 1, 2008 · Aero Commander 500-B · N411FS

Charlotte Amali

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (7 uninjured)
Location
Charlotte Amali
Aircraft
Aero Commander 500-B
Tail Number
N411FS
Operator
Bevins Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA08LA149

While inbound for landing, undetected fatigue cracks in a hard aluminum hydraulic line near a flared end cracked through the tube wall thickness resulting in the loss of hydraulic fluid and the inability of the pilot to fully extend all landing gears using either the normal or emergency landing gear extension systems. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed. Fatigue cracking of the tube was likely caused by vibratory loads due to in-service bends and improper clamping; the tube was only clamped in one location though two clamps were required. Additionally, wear on the tube in the area of the clamp was consistent with a loose clamp. The airplane was last inspected in accordance with an Annual/100-Hour inspection on April 30, 2008, or approximately 62 hours earlier. Inspection of the tube for condition is required during the 100 hour inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of maintenance personnel to identify inadequate clamping of the aluminum line during inspection, and the undetected fatigue cracking of the line which resulted in the loss of hydraulic fluid.

Full Narrative

On June 1, 2008, about 1250 Atlantic standard time, an Aero Commander 500-B, N411FS, registered to a private individual and operated by Bevins Air Service, Inc., experienced collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing roll at Cyril E. King Airport (TIST), Charlotte Amalie, U.S.V.I. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 non-scheduled, international, passenger flight from Cane Field (TDCF), Roseau, Dominica. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot and six passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1050, from TDCF. The pilot stated that after takeoff the flight proceeded to the destination airport and when it was approximately 20 miles from there, the airplane's hydraulic pressure which actuates the landing gear and flaps, began to fluctuate. He lowered the landing gear using the normal gear extension system but the left main landing gear did not go into the down and locked position. He advised the control tower of the situation and attempted to extend the left main landing gear by bouncing the right main landing gear on the runway but was unsuccessful. He departed, and attempted to extend the left main gear using the emergency extension procedure which was also unsuccessful. The flight returned for landing, and during the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed. The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the accident on July 21, 2008. According to the mechanic who inspected the airplane after the accident, he found a cracked aluminum tube in the left hand nacelle. The tube was cracked beneath the sleeve at the flare for the B-nut which attaches at the inboard side of the left engine nacelle. The tube was supported by one phenolic block about midway along its length. Additionally, all hydraulic fluid was drained from the primary stand pipe reservoir. The tube, P/N 6790246-101, identified as Tube Assembly Hydraulic Pressure, was removed from the airplane and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (Safety Board's) Materials Laboratory, in Washington, D.C. Examination of the tube by personnel from the Safety Board's Materials Laboratory revealed that the majority of the crack was perpendicular to the surface and contained faint crack arrest positions consistent with fatigue cracking. Small ratchet marks were noted in the central portion of the crack adjacent to the outside diameter surface, indicating that initiation of the crack was from multiple origin areas at the beginning of the flared end. No evidence of material defects or mechanical damage was noted in the origin area. The flared end of the tube adjacent to the fracture surface showed evidence of use but did not contain large amounts of deformation. The flared end at the opposite end of the tube was out-of-round. Further examination of the tube revealed a circumferential wear area approximately 4 inches from the middle radius of a 90-degree bend near the cracked end of the tube; the wear was consistent of being made by a loose clamp. A second area of wear was noted near the first but on the opposite side of the tube. The tube also exhibited gradual bends that were not consistent with discrete bends associated with a newly manufactured tube. Personnel from the airplane Type Certificate Data Sheet holder reported that the cracked tube is required to be supported within 6 inches of the tangent point of each bend; therefore, a minimum of two clamps are required. Inspection of the tube for condition is specified in the 100-Hour inspections. The operator reported that the total time on the tube is the same as the airplane total time, or 18,153.9 hours. Additionally, the mechanic reported the airplane is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's inspection program, and the last Annual/100-Hour inspection occurred on April 30, 2008. The airplane total time at that time was 18,092.3 hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:50 UTC
Nearest AirportCyril E. King (0nm)
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander 500-B
Tail NumberN411FS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBevins Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 SER · Reciprocating · 310 | Lycoming · TIO-540 SER · Reciprocating · 310
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (7 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured7
Total7
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data