Aero Commander 500 S accident near Fort Huachuca, AZ
On May 17, 2014, an Aero Commander 500 S (airplane) was involved in an accident near Fort Huachuca, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 17, 2014
- Place
- Fort Huachuca, AZ
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander 500 S · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 31.586°N, 110.340°W
- NTSB ID
- 20140518X00215
Official records · WPR14FA194
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 17, 2014, about 1020 Mountain standard time, an Aero Commander 500S, N40TC, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Sierra Vista Municipal Airport – Libby Army Airfield, Fort Huachuca, Arizona (FHU). The airline transport pilot (ATP) survived the accident, but died as a result of his injuries about two week after the accident. The commercial pilot was seriously injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage throughout. The airplane was registered to, and operated by Ponderosa Aviation Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an orientation flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight. A statement as to the circumstances of the accident was not obtained from the ATP prior to him succumbing to his injuries. The commercial pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to perform a check/orientation flight with the ATP, who was new to the area. Both pilots conducted a thorough preflight inspection and discussed the airplane's characteristics, safety guidelines, and protocols. The airplane was started and a run-up was completed. The airplane started the takeoff roll and all gauges were in the "green;" the airspeed reached 80 knots and the airplane lifted off the ground. About 350 feet above the ground the pilots felt the airplane "jolt" and the airplane felt like it lost power; it was not responding. The commercial pilot immediately shut off the boost pumps, and the ATP initiated a slow left turn in an attempt to return to land; however, the airplane st
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack after a total loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined because an examination of the airframe and engines did not reveal any anomalies that
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Browse: Arizona · Aero Commander aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
