Aero Commander 100 accident near Geneva, Alabama, January 8, 2003
On January 8, 2003 at about 4:20 pm local time, a Aero Commander 100, registered N3628X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Geneva, Alabama. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to achieve takeoff due to a mistrimmed elevator, and his failure to maintain directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 8, 2003 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Geneva, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander 100 · all 100s on the register
- Registration
- N3628X · no longer on the register · serial 356
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident occurred during the initial takeoff from a private grass airstrip in Geneva, Alabama. According to the pilot, as the airplane accelerated down the runway during the attempted takeoff, the airplane would not climb and he could not explain why. According to the pilot, he elected to abort the takeoff with approximately 400 feet of runway remaining. When the pilot elected to abort the takeoff, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and collided with trees. Examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator trim was observed in the full nose down position. The right wing was damaged at the root and the right wing spar was bent. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties prior to the accident. According to the pilot's operating handbook the pre-takeoff checklist requires the elevator trim be set for takeoff.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 435 hours in all; 377 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 30, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 8, 2003; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Geneva AL at 4:20 pm
- Destination: 82J Pensacola FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from DHN, 32 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.