# NTSB ATL99LA121: Aero Commander S2R, N8965Q, Cairo, GA, September 1, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1999, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Cairo, GA - Location: 30.8943° N, 84.1699° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CAIRO-GRADY COUNTY (70J), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8943&lon=-84.1699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47224/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA121 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis Shortly after liftoff from the runway, the engine backfired and lost power. An eyewitness at the airport reported seeing black smoke coming from the airplane during the attempted takeoff. The pilot turned right and selected a field for the emergency landing. After clearing a nearby pond, the pilot dumped the load of chemicals, and landed in a field about 300 yards beyond the pond. The examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. During the examination of the engine, fuel was recovered from the fuel system. Examination of the carburetor also failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. A review of the weather data disclosed that the temperature was 68 degrees, and the dew point was 66 degrees. According to the Icing Probability Curves, conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1999, at 0845 eastern daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N8965Q, collided with the ground during an attempted forced landing in a field near Cairo-Grady Municipal Airport in Cairo, Georgia. The aerial application flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed Cairo, Georgia, at 0844. According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff from runway 12 at the Cairo-Grady Municipal Airport, the engine backfired and lost power. An eyewitness at the airport reported seeing black smoke coming from the airplane during the attempted takeoff. The pilot turned right and selected a field for the emergency landing. After clearing a nearby pond, the pilot dumped the load of chemicals, and landed in a field about 3000 yards beyond the pond. The pilot reported that during the emergency landing, the landing gear collapsed and the right forward wing spar sustained damage. The examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. During the examination of the engine, fuel was recovered from the fuel system. Examination of the carburetor also failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. A review of the weather data disclosed that the temperature was 68 degrees, and the dew point was 66 degrees. According to the Icing Probability Curves, conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice (see attached icing probability curves). ## Aircraft - Registration: N8965Q (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander S2R - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1635R - Airframe hours: 8137 - Engines: P&W R-1340-S3H1-G 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Prince Flying Service Inc., - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1999 - Departed: 70J - Airport: 70J, Cairo-Grady Municipal, runway 30, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,000 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 225 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TLH, 30 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990901047669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990901047669A), Sep 1, 1999: Ayres S2R, Cairo, GA, Substantial damage. (.4) Shortly after liftoff from the runway, the engine backfired and lost power. An eyewitness at the airport reported seeing black smoke coming from the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.