Aero Commander 500 N6261B

Summary

On 22 December 1999 at about 20:25 local time, a Aero Commander 500 registered N6261B, operated by Thomas H. Hoffman, was involved in an accident near Georgetown, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 December 1999 at 20:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Georgetown, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.3609, -79.2897

Aircraft

Aero Commander 500

Registration

N6261B

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Thomas H. Hoffman

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Orlando

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA00FA058

2 people died.

The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to attempt VFR flight into known instrument flight conditions, willful disregard of FAA Automated Flight Service Station weather forecast/weather observations, failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while maneuvering on initial takeoff climb, resulting in an in-flight loss of control (inadvertent stall/spin), and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The noninstrument-rated pilot attempted VFR flight into known instrument flight conditions after being briefed by an FAA Automated Flight Service Station that VFR flight was not recommended. The pilot encountered instrument flight conditions while maneuvering on initial takeoff climb, experienced an in-flight loss of control (stall/spin) due to failure to maintain airspeed, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.