Aero Commander 200 accident near Howell, Michigan, August 20, 2019
On August 20, 2019 at about 3:18 pm local time, a 1966 Aero Commander 200, registered N200HS, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Howell, Michigan (Livingston County Spencer J Ha airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper installation of the engine’s metal intake screen, which allowed the filter element to become displaced and subsequently lodge in the intake, blocking intake air and causing the total loss of engine power, at low altitude and low airspeed resulting in the airplane impacting terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2019 · about 3:18 pm local time
- Place
- Howell, Michigan · Livingston County Spencer J Ha · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander 200 D, built 1966 · all 200s on the register
- Registration
- N200HS · no longer on the register · serial 338
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The single-engine airplane had undergone recent maintenance, including the installation of a field overhauled engine and a three-bladed propeller. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were conducting a maintenance check flight. One witness reported that the airplane took off normally, but when it reached between about 200 to 300 ft above ground level, it stopped climbing. Another witness reported that he did not hear the engine but that he could not remember whether the propeller was turning. The accident engine was a modification to the airplane’s original configuration. Such a modification is typically recorded on a Federal Aviation Administration Form 337, “Major Repair and Alternation,” and adopted by a field approval. However, neither the form nor maintenance records regarding the installation of the modified engine were found during the investigation. A smart phone recorded two videos from inside the airplane. One of the videos captured the accident flight just after takeoff. Several seconds later, a decrease in engine sound was heard, followed by a momentary warning horn. One of the occupants then stated, “we’re stalling,” followed by the sound of the stall warning horn and impact with terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. During examination of the engine, the air filter element was found displaced and lodged in the intake. The metal screen used to hold the filter element was found improperly installed. The evidence indicates that the improper installation of the metal screen allowed the filter element to become displaced and subsequently lodged in the intake, which blocked the intake air and resulted in a total loss of engine power.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Air intake › Design
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 22,974 hours in all; 518.9 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,069.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 12, 2015
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KOZW Howell MI
- Destination: KOZW Howell MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 5,002 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,500 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 3:39 pm from KOZW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN19FA279.