What happened
On August 31, 2024, at approximately 15:50 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander 200D, registration N2912T, was destroyed during an accident at Gnoss Field Airport (DVO) in Novato, California. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. The pilot was fatally injured.
Witnesses at the airport observed the aircraft during its takeoff roll on runway 31. After rising a few feet off the runway, the aircraft veered left, crossing the runway safety area (RSA) and the parallel taxiway. The aircraft touched down on a grassy area between the parallel taxiway and the ramp near the intersection of taxiway Charlie. The aircraft remained airborne until it struck a hangar, which subsequently resulted in a post-impact fire.
One witness noted that the engine appeared to be producing sufficient power prior to the impact. Witnesses also reported seeing the aircraft impact the ground approximately 10 feet in front of their position while they were taxiing from the ramp.
The investigation
Investigators identified three rubber tire marks near the center of the runway, located approximately 215 feet from the edge of the displaced threshold of runway 31. These marks continued toward the left side of the runway and into the RSA. Evidence of disturbed grass and dirt ground scars, consistent with main landing gear contact, extended from the runway edge, through the RSA, and toward the ramp area, where a taxiway light was found damaged.
The aircraft impacted the eastern edge of a hangar row and was largely consumed by fire. The investigation of the wreckage revealed the following:
- The empennage was mostly separated from the fuselage, though it remained attached via the elevator trim and control cables.
- The right wing sustained extensive thermal damage, leaving only the inboard steel structure.
- The outboard left wing showed impact damage but remained attached to the inboard structure.
- The engine and propeller remained attached to the fuselage but suffered extensive thermal damage.
- The cabin area was mostly destroyed by the post-impact fire.