Aero Commander Callair A-9B accident near Norton, Kansas, July 16, 2004
On July 16, 2004 at about 11:40 pm local time, a Aero Commander Callair A-9B, registered N7798V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Norton, Kansas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The fire in the area of the fuel line and the unsuitable terrain encountered during an emergency landing by the pilot. Contributing factors were the pole.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2004 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Norton, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander Callair A-9B · all Callair A-9Bs on the register
- Registration
- N7798V · no longer on the register · serial 1551
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The agricultural airplane received substantial damage on impact with a utility pole and terrain during a forced landing. The airplane was en route to apply chemical to a field when it experienced an in-flight fire after originating from the departure airport located approximately 3 miles from the accident site. Inspection of the airplane revealed that a fuel line exhibited evidence of fire and adjacent lines did not exhibit similar damage. The operator had not been issued a 14 CFR Part 137 certificate.
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: 210 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,340 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2004
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire in flight and on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: NRN Norton KS at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from HLC, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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 docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site 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 CHI04LA295.