Aero Commander 500-B N777CM
24 November 1992 · McCook, Nebraska, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 24 November 1992 at about 01:47 local time, a Aero Commander 500-B registered N777CM, operated by Dewey Towner, was involved in an accident near McCook, Nebraska, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 01:47
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- McCook, Nebraska, United States
- Nearest airport
- McCook Municipal (MCK)
- Coordinates
- 40.1999, -100.6193
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander 500-B
- Registration
- N777CM
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Dewey Towner
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Hastings
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- CHI93LA041
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO DEPART IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE ICING CONDITIONS AND STRUCTURAL ICE WERE FACTORS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE CRASHED ON AIRPORT PROPERTY AFTER REPORTING THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT DURING A NIGHT IFR APPROACH. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WEATHER AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE WAS 500 FEET OVERCAST WITH VISIBILITY RESTRICTED TO 1.5 MILES IN FREEZING DRIZZLE. THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH HIS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE OF 9000 FEET BECAUSE OF STRUCTURAL ICING. HE ALSO REPORTED AN UNCOMMANDED DECREASE IN RPM IN THE LEFT ENGINE DURING THE EN ROUTE CLIMB. HE REPORTED TO ATC HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND REQUESTED AN 'IMMEDIATE' RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE STALLED AS HE WAS TURNING FROM LEFT BASE TO FINAL FOR THE LANDING RUNWAY. HE RECOVERED FROM THE STALL AND DECIDED TO 'PLACE' THE AIRCRAFT IN A FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED ANOTHER STALL, 'A FEW FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND CRASHED.' A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED ICE BUILDUPS ON THE LEADING EDGE OF ALL AIRFOIL SURFACES AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE WINGS. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE LEFT ENGINE OR PROPELLER SYSTEM.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aero Commander 500 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1992 | Aero Commander 500S | Richmond Hts., Ohio, United States | Michael Stanton-Hicks | Fatal | 1 |
| 29 Jul 1991 | Aero Commander 500B | Hutchinson, Kansas, United States | Central Air-Southwest | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jan 1993 | Aero Commander 500-B | Susank, Kansas, United States | Central Airlines, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Aug 1991 | Aero Commander 500-698 | Atlantic Ocean | Palm Beach Aviation | Serious injuries | - |
| 7 Mar 1993 | Aero Commander 500 | Everglades City, Florida, United States | Palm Beach Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1991 | Aero Commander 500B | Silica, Kansas, United States | Dewey E. Tower | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1992 | Cessna U206F | Valentine, Nebraska, United States | Stotts, REX R. | Fatal | 2 |
| 7 May 1992 | Piper PA-23-250 | Valentine, Nebraska, United States | WM. J. Kerr/Robt. Kilmer | No injuries | - |
| 22 Oct 1992 | Piper PA-20 | Weeping Water, Nebraska, United States | Pacer Pilots, Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Jan 1992 | Cessna 182 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | Adams Land & Cattle Co | No injuries | - |
| 26 Apr 1992 | Piper PA-32-260 | Sidney, Nebraska, United States | Wade S. Evans/Stephen M.miller | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jan 1992 | Piper PA-18-125 | Ashby, Nebraska, United States | Cole, Robert R. | Fatal | 2 |