Aero Commander S2R N8985Q

Summary

On 21 March 1997 at about 23:00 local time, a Aero Commander S2R registered N8985Q was involved in an accident near Dilley, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 March 1997 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Dilley, Texas, United States

Coordinates

28.6605, -99.1696

Aircraft

Aero Commander S2R

Registration

N8985Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA137

Nobody was injured.

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering over high transmission line(s), which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with the terrain. The unfavorable weather condition (with turbulence) and the obstruction (high transmission line) were related factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he departed Dilly Airport loaded with fertilizer for an aerial application flight with 'no problem.' Approximately 3 miles to the southwest of Dilly, he 'was going to the field and hit some rough turbulence over an old sand pasture.' He also stated that, 'The plane was running fine, but it was hot, humid, and I was heavy.' The pilot began to 'dump' his fertilizer load, but the airplane did not 'come back up or gain much speed.' The pilot pulled up to 'get over a high line wire,' and 'after going over it, I lost most of my airspeed.' The airplane then impacted the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.