Aero Commander 680 FPL N5YZ

Summary

On 1 October 1998 at about 17:05 local time, a Aero Commander 680 FPL registered N5YZ was involved in an accident near Palm Springs, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 October 1998 at 17:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Palm Springs, California, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Aero Commander 680 FPL

Registration

N5YZ

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99FA001

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to properly use the manual turbocharger wastegates and to monitor the manifold pressure during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While departing on a local area aircraft checkout flight the aircraft stayed low and the pilot advised the tower that he had a fuel problem. The aircraft had been fueled with aviation grade 100LL twice the day before in preparation for a trip. The pilot attempted to return to the airport, but collided with power lines 1.5 miles north. Examination of the engines revealed severe detonation had occurred. A fuel sample was obtained from the aircraft and tested negative for jet fuel contamination. The aircraft had been modified by installation of higher horsepower engines and turbochargers with manual wastegates. During postaccident examination of the aircraft systems the manual wastegates were found partially closed; a position that can provide additional manifold pressure. The engines are restricted to a maximum of 29.5 inHg.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.