Aero Commander 500 N800SL

Summary

On 11 January 2004 at about 19:10 local time, a Aero Commander 500 registered N800SL was involved in an accident near Allendale, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were 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

11 January 2004 at 19:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Allendale, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Allendale County (88J)

Coordinates

32.9903, -81.2686

Aircraft

Aero Commander 500

Registration

N800SL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Allendale → Allendale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL04LA065

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the hydraulic brake system accumulator due to a ruptured diaphragm. A factor was the ditch.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while on takeoff roll the airplane began to "track right", differential braking input was applied to line up the airplane with the runway center line. When brakes were applied to stop the airplane, they failed and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway into a ditch. Examination of the wheel brakes revealed that the hydraulic pucks were leaking, and the brake disc and linings were worn. Examination of the accumulator revealed the diaphragm was ruptured and the system would not maintain pressure. No other flight control or mechanical problems were reported by the pilot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.