Aero Commander 112 N1143J

Summary

On 19 November 2023 at about 16:26 local time, a Aero Commander 112 registered N1143J was involved in an accident near Saluda, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

19 November 2023 at 16:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Saluda, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Saluda County Airport (6J4)

Coordinates

33.9325, -81.7939

Aircraft

Aero Commander 112

Registration

N1143J

Category

Airplane

Year built

1974

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Saluda → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24LA044

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing in crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and the flight instructor planned a flight itinerary that included multiple stops with the aim of the pilot receiving 7 hours of training in the airplane. Prior to the accident, the flight instructor learned that the pilot had not performed go-arounds or touch-and-go landings in the airplane make and model. Upon flying the airplane into the accident airport, the favorable weather conditions and lack of air traffic led them to decide to conduct the training in the traffic pattern there. The first landing was made by the pilot to a full stop with taxi back. The second landing, which was a touch-and-go, was performed by the flight instructor. The third, followed by the fourth and final landing was performed by the pilot. During the fourth landing, with the wing flaps fully extended, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane and attempted to abort the landing as the airplane veered to the left (a right crosswind prevailed at that time). The pilot tried to correct back toward to the runway centerline, but the airplane went off the left side of the runway. The airplane then touched down in the grass, traveled down an embankment, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The airframe was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.