Aero Commander 500-B accident near Charlotte Amali, June 1, 2008
On June 1, 2008 at about 4:50 pm local time, a Aero Commander 500-B, registered N411FS, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Charlotte Amali (Cyril E. King airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of maintenance personnel to identify inadequate clamping of the aluminum line during inspection, and the undetected fatigue cracking of the line which resulted in the loss of hydraulic fluid.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 2008 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Charlotte Amali · Cyril E. King · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander 500-B · all 500-Bs on the register
- Registration
- N411FS · registry record · serial 1162-85
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While inbound for landing, undetected fatigue cracks in a hard aluminum hydraulic line near a flared end cracked through the tube wall thickness resulting in the loss of hydraulic fluid and the inability of the pilot to fully extend all landing gears using either the normal or emergency landing gear extension systems. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed. Fatigue cracking of the tube was likely caused by vibratory loads due to in-service bends and improper clamping; the tube was only clamped in one location though two clamps were required. Additionally, wear on the tube in the area of the clamp was consistent with a loose clamp. The airplane was last inspected in accordance with an Annual/100-Hour inspection on April 30, 2008, or approximately 62 hours earlier. Inspection of the tube for condition is required during the 100 hour inspection.
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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Hydraulic power system › Hydraulic, main system › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Hydraulic power system › (general) › Inoperative
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Hydraulic power system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,677 hours in all; 3,150 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 29, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 18,092 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 30, 2008; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,750 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming TIO-540 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming TIO-540 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Bevins Air Service, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: TDCF Roseau at 2:50 pm
- Destination: TIST Charlotte Amali
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from TIST
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 6 |
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.