Aero Commander 100 accident near Englewood, Florida, April 6, 2006
On April 6, 2006 at about 12:45 pm local time, a Aero Commander 100, registered N3602X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Englewood, Florida (Buchan Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in time to stop on the remaining runway, which resulted in the airplane overrunning the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 6, 2006 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Englewood, Florida · Buchan Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander 100 · all 100s on the register
- Registration
- N3602X · no longer on the register · serial 300
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that prior to takeoff engine run-up was normal. He further stated that the initial takeoff roll on runway 30 was normal as well; however, about 2/3 of the length of the runway, the airspeed indicated 60 mph, so he aborted the takeoff. He said he retarded the throttle control, and applied the brakes, but the 2,040-ft runway consists of sod and sand, and it was rough and wet, so the braking action did not "work well." He said the airplane impacted the top of a 5 ft-high berm, and descended into a 8 to 10 ft-deep ditch, incurring substantial damage. On June 2, 2006, a post accident examination of the airplane and its engine was performed by an FAA inspector, as well as an FAA licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic. During the examination the engine was given a "test-run", and no preaccident anomalies were noted to exist.
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: 272 hours in all; 41 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,084 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X36 Englewood FL at 12:45 pm
- Destination: LAL Lakeland FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 2,040 ft by 120 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from PIE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.