Aero Commander 520 N520SE

Summary

On 2 February 2002 at about 18:33 local time, a Aero Commander 520 registered N520SE was involved in an accident near Puyallup, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 February 2002 at 18:33

Classification

Accident

Location

Puyallup, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Pierce Co-Thun Field (1S0)

Coordinates

47.1067, -122.2897

Aircraft

Aero Commander 520

Registration

N520SE

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Puyallup → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02FA036

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. Trees were a factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the engines had full power before rotation, and that the takeoff roll was normal until rotation. Right after the aircraft lifted off, the left wing dropped and he felt a swerve to the left, and the aircraft's nose pitched up. The pilot pushed on the control yoke and attempted to counteract the roll motion with opposite aileron. The aircraft continued to the left and collided with trees approximately 1,250 feet from the departure end of the runway and about 100 yards east of the runway edge. Post accident inspection of the flight controls found control continuity from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The left engine was inspected and partially torn down. During the engine inspection, there was no evidence found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.