Accident Overview
On August 31, 2024, at about 1550 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 200D, registration N2912T, was destroyed when it crashed at Gnoss Field Airport (DVO) in Novato, California. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to family members, the pilot had flown from Redding, California, earlier that day, spent a few hours with them, and then returned to the airport for the accident flight. They noted that the pilot was very familiar with DVO, having flown there for years.
Witness Observations
A witness who was taxiing on the parallel taxiway reported seeing the accident airplane rise momentarily a few feet off the runway after its takeoff roll. The airplane then veered left on the runway into the runway safety area (RSA). It continued across the RSA, over the parallel taxiway, and touched down on the grass-covered area between the parallel taxiway and the ramp, near the intersection with taxiway Charlie. Another witness, taxiing from the ramp and approaching that intersection, saw the airplane impact the grassy area about 10 feet in front of their position. Both witnesses observed the airplane become airborne again and continue in flight until it struck a hangar. A post-impact fire ensued a few seconds later. A third witness, located near the hangars, reported that the engine sounded as though it was developing plenty of power before the impact.
On-Site Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed three rubber tire marks near the center of runway 31, about 215 feet from the edge of the displaced threshold. The tire marks extended to the left side of the runway and into the RSA. Loose displaced grass was observed at the runway edge. An area of disturbed grass and dirt ground scars, consistent with contact from the main landing gear tires, stretched from the runway edge, through the RSA, and toward the ramp area. The ground scars continued into the grassy area between the parallel taxiway and ramp, where a damaged taxiway light was found. The airplane impacted the eastern edge of a row of hangars and was mostly consumed by the post-impact fire. The empennage was mostly separated from the fuselage but remained attached via elevator trim and control cables. The right wing had extensive thermal damage, with only the inboard steel structure remaining. The outboard left wing had impact damage and remained attached to the inboard wing structure. The engine and propeller remained attached to the fuselage and had extensive thermal damage. The cabin area was mostly consumed by fire. The wreckage was subsequently relocated to a secure facility for further examination.