Accident Aero Commander 100 N87770, Monday 7 April 1997

You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.

Date:	Monday 7 April 1997
Time:	11:30 LT
Type:	Aero Commander 100
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N87770
MSN:	328
Total airframe hrs:	2243 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-320-A2B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Knights Landing, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Concord, CA (KCCR)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot was landing for the first time at a 1,500-foot-long duster strip, and stated that because of the shortness of the runway and the potential for automobile cross traffic at the other end, he attempted a short field landing. However, the approach end of the runway had a dirt berm across it and it was hard to judge the height. As he approached the berm he added power to clear it, but the plane stalled about 6 to 7 feet agl and landed hard. It bounced and turned left colliding with a metal storage shed.

Probable Cause: the pilot's failure to maintain minimum control airspeed during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing.

Accident investigation: