Aero Commander 112 N1054J

Summary

On 1 December 1997 at about 22:45 local time, a Aero Commander 112 registered N1054J was involved in an accident near Kettle Falls, Washington, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 December 1997 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Kettle Falls, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.7197, -117.9597

Aircraft

Aero Commander 112

Registration

N1054J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Colville → Kent

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA98LA018

3 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Factors include the physiological impairment of the pilot's judgement due to alcohol.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to a FAA aviation safety inspector, witnesses observed the airplane flying 'low' over Lake Roosevelt. The witnesses observed the left wing strike the surface of the lake. The airplane then broke apart and sank in about 40 feet of water. The witnesses stated that there was no smoke or fire coming from the airplane at the time of the accident, and that there were no perceived problems with the engine. FAA inspectors found no evidence of bird strikes, nor of mechanical deficiencies prior to impact. Toxicological testing revealed that a high level of ethanol was detected in bodily fluids.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.