Summary
On August 03, 2002, a Aero Commander 100 (N3766X) was involved in an accident near Quincy, WA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 2 people uninjured out of 3 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the descent for landing. A proper glide path was not attained, inadequate remedial action, and a fence were factors.
On August 3, 2002, approximately 0900 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 100, N3766X, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence short of the runway at Quincy Municipal Airport, Quincy, Washington, and subsequently nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot received minor injuries. The two passengers were not injured. The flight departed from Tonasket, Washington, about one hour and 30 minutes prior to the accident.
In a written statement, the pilot reported that the aircraft was slightly above glide path while on final approach for runway 27, at 80 MPH indicated airspeed.
This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA02LA143. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3766X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate during the descent for landing. A proper glide path was not attained, inadequate remedial action, and a fence were factors.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 3, 2002, approximately 0900 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 100, N3766X, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence short of the runway at Quincy Municipal Airport, Quincy, Washington, and subsequently nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot received minor injuries. The two passengers were not injured. The flight departed from Tonasket, Washington, about one hour and 30 minutes prior to the accident.
In a written statement, the pilot reported that the aircraft was slightly above glide path while on final approach for runway 27, at 80 MPH indicated airspeed. The aircraft had 10 degrees of flaps extended. The pilot increased flap extension to 20 degrees, and noted a sudden and severe descent rate. The pilot added power, however, the descent rate was not arrested and the aircraft touched down approximately 150 feet short of the runway. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with a fence. The nose gear separated and the aircraft nosed over.
The pilot reported the weather at the time of the accident as calm winds and no turbulence. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported with the aircraft at the time.
At 0852, Moses Lake, Washington, METAR located 17 nautical miles southwest of Quincy, was reporting the weather as clear with winds from 190 degrees at 5 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA02LA143