No fatalities

19 Aug 2015: AERO COMMANDER 500 B B — VANARSDALE AIR SERVICE LLC — The Dalles, OR

The Dalles, OR, United States

On 19 Aug 2015, an AERO COMMANDER 500 B B operated by VANARSDALE AIR SERVICE LLC was involved in an aviation accident near The Dalles, OR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A motor vehicle's runway incursion causing the premature rotation of the departing airplane, which resulted in a tail strike. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff, a pilot pulled back to avoid a vehicle on the runway, retracted gear early, felt a bump, and later discovered substantial damage to the bottom aft fuselage.

Incident Overview

According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, a vehicle entered the runway. The pilot immediately pulled back on the yoke to climb and avoid the vehicle. As the airplane began to rotate, the pilot simultaneously retracted the landing gear. The pilot reported feeling a "bump" before the airplane lifted off the runway. The airplane ascended over the incursion vehicle, and the pilot avoided a collision.

Post-Flight Inspection

During the post-flight inspection, the pilot checked the landing gear for damage and found no deficiencies. However, during a subsequent preflight inspection by another crew, damage to the lower aft fuselage was noticed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom aft fuselage longerons and stringers.

Mechanical Status

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation.

Contributing factors

Effect on operation