# Accident 20200720010609A: Aero Commander S2R, Harlan, IA, July 20, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 20, 2020, 04:40 local time
- Place: Harlan, IA
- Airport: Harlan Municipal Airport
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: SXDG
- Location: 41.6508° N, 95.3196° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6508&lon=-95.3196&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1662S, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1662S) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aero Commander S2R (registry code 0143022, https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340 series (registry code 52016, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER S2R
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 5,533 total, 1,160 in this make and model, 230 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN20LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA294) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200720010609A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT WAS ON A SPRAY RUN WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STARTED YAWING TO THE LEFT AND PITCHING DOWN. THE PILOT HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE STICK PULLING BACK TO KEEP FROM PITCHING DOWN. THE AIRCRAFT MADE SEVERAL YAWING LEFT TURNS. THE PILOT NOTICED THE TOP PART OF THE RUDDER LAYING ON THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND ELEVATOR. AFTER SEVERAL YAWING LEFT TURNS THE TOP HALF OF THE RUDDER CAME OFF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT WITHOUT INCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN20LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA294), Jul 20, 2020: Rockwell S2R (N1662S), Harlan, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue fracture of the upper rudder hinge that resulted in a partial separation of the rudder from the airplane during a spray pass.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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