Aero Commander 200 N200HS

Summary

On 20 August 2019 at about 15:18 local time, a Aero Commander 200 registered N200HS was involved in an accident near Howell, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 August 2019 at 15:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Howell, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Livingston County Spencer J Ha (KOZW)

Coordinates

42.6247, -83.9733

Aircraft

Aero Commander 200

Registration

N200HS

Category

Airplane

Year built

1966

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Howell → Howell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN19FA279

2 people died.

The improper installation of the engine’s metal intake screen, which allowed the filter element to become displaced and subsequently lodge in the intake, blocking intake air and causing the total loss of engine power, at low altitude and low airspeed resulting in the airplane impacting terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The single-engine airplane had undergone recent maintenance, including the installation of a fieldoverhauled engine and a three-bladed propeller. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were conducting a maintenance check flight. One witness reported that the airplane took off normally, but when it reached between about 200 to 300 ft above ground level, it stopped climbing. Another witness reported that he did not hear the engine but that he could not remember whether the propeller was turning. The accident engine was a modification to the airplane’s original configuration. Such a modification is typically recorded on a Federal Aviation Administration Form 337, “Major Repair and Alternation,” and adopted by a field approval. However, neither the form nor maintenance records regarding the installation of the modified engine were found during the investigation. A smart phone recorded two videos from inside the airplane. One of the videos captured the accident flight just after takeoff. Several seconds later, a decrease in engine sound was heard, followed by a momentary warning horn. One of the occupants then stated, “we’re stalling,” followed by the sound of the stall warning horn and impact with terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. During examination of the engine, the air filter element was found displaced and lodged in the intake. The metal screen used to hold the filter element was found improperly installed. The evidence indicates that the improper installation of the metal screen allowed the filter element to become displaced and subsequently lodged in the intake, which blocked the intake air and resulted in a total loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.