Aero Commander 100 N3628X

Summary

On 8 January 2003 at about 16:20 local time, a Aero Commander 100 registered N3628X was involved in an accident near Geneva, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 January 2003 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Geneva, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

31.0553, -85.8803

Aircraft

Aero Commander 100

Registration

N3628X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Geneva → Pensacola

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL03LA032

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to achieve takeoff due to a mistrimmed elevator, and his failure to maintain directional control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident occurred during the initial takeoff from a private grass airstrip in Geneva, Alabama. According to the pilot, as the airplane accelerated down the runway during the attempted takeoff, the airplane would not climb and he could not explain why. According to the pilot, he elected to abort the takeoff with approximately 400 feet of runway remaining. When the pilot elected to abort the takeoff, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and collided with trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator trim was observed in the full nose down position. The right wing was damaged at the root and the right wing spar was bent. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties prior to the accident. According to the pilot's operating handbook the pre-takeoff checklist requires the elevator trim be set for takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.