History of Flight
On September 5, 2018, about 2145 Pacific daylight time, a Commander Aircraft Company AC-114TC, registration N6064C, was destroyed when it crashed near Jean, Nevada. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
A review of Nevada Department of Transportation traffic camera video showed the accident airplane flying west of and parallel to Interstate 15. The airplane turned to a course consistent with a right base turn to runway 20R at Jean Airport (0L7). The airplane then began another right turn. About halfway through the turn and just before entering a small cloud, the airplane entered a steep nose-down descent and spin, then impacted the ground. A post-impact fire ensued that consumed most of the airplane.
Aircraft and Wreckage Information
The airframe and engine maintenance logbooks were not located during the investigation. The airplane impacted desert terrain populated with light vegetation about 1 mile north of Jean Airport. The debris field was about 280 feet in length. The first point of impact was a large ground disturbance consistent with the front of the airplane and wings impacting at a near wings-level attitude. The disturbed dirt measured about 10 feet lengthwise, 28 feet wide, and 2 feet deep at the middle portion and 6 inches deep where the wings struck. Several parts of the fuselage and wings were within the disturbance. Left-wing tip parts were on the left edge. A burnt fan pattern was observed on the desert sand forward of each wing, consistent with fuel sprayed out during impact and ignited.
All major structural components and primary flight controls were located at the site. The main wreckage included the fuselage, engine, wings, and empennage. The fuselage was mostly consumed by the post-impact fire. The engine remained attached. The front of the aircraft and cabin area were destroyed during impact and fire. The empennage was folded under the left wing and remained partially attached; the tail cone had separated. The airplane was identified by the registration plate in the aft fuselage.
The leading edges of the wings displayed compression and impact damage. The vertical stabilizer was almost entirely consumed by fire. The rudder remained attached to the vertical stabilizer. The elevators remained attached, and the elevator trim was near the neutral position. Flight control continuity was established from the ailerons to the cockpit controls, and to the rudder and elevator despite overload separations of cables.
Both left and right wings remained attached. Both ailerons and flaps were attached, though the right aileron was only partially attached by the outboard connection. The engine displayed impact and thermal damage. The three-bladed propeller remained attached; one blade was bent aft near the hub, another was bent and curled near the tip, and the third exhibited gouging, torsional twisting, and chordwise striations across the cambered surface and trailing edge.
The landing gear was observed in the extended position, with impact marks consistent with that position. The cockpit area sustained substantial thermal damage; no instrumentation was readable. The fuel selector handle was not observed.
Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Accident Environment
A right traffic pattern to land on runway 20R at Jean Airport would place the base turn in a relative position close to the accident site. Over a two-day period following the accident, several airplanes landing to the south on runway 20R were observed flying directly over the accident site while on the base leg turn.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Clark County Coroner/Medical Examiner Office conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was determined to be "multiple blunt force injuries." The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicological testing on the pilot. Testing was negative for drugs and volatiles, except for ethanol detected in the brain and muscle specimens. Some or all of the ethanol may be from sources other than consumption.