# NTSB CEN10LA555: Aero Commander S2R, N8820Q, Pocahontas, AR, September 23, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 2010, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Pocahontas, AR - Coordinates: 36.271389, -90.868888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2714&lon=-90.8689&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 77383 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA555 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77383/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77383 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA555 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Contributing to the accident was the weight of the airplane and the high ambient temperature. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high temperature](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was fully loaded with chemicals for the aerial application flight, and the ambient temperature was high. As the airplane reached the end of the runway during the takeoff roll and lifted off, it struck an embankment, impacted a field, and caught fire. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 2010, approximately 0945 central daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N8820Q, operated by Kirk Aviation, was destroyed when it struck an embankment and caught fire on takeoff from a private airstrip 3 miles north of Pocahontas, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot was asked submit NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. No report was ever received. The following is based on a telephone conversation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who went to the accident site. The pilot told the inspector that the airplane was fully loaded and the ambient temperature was high. As the airplane reached the end of the runway and lifted off, it struck an embankment, impacted a field, and burned. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8820Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8820Q-2017-09-26), registration cancelled 2017-09-26, S/N 1520R, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER S2R - Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1520R - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Kirk Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Kirk Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE, Pocahontas, AR - Destination: NONE, Pocahontas, AR - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review July 20, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 3,640 total, 455 in this make and model, 74 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: ARG ## 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 20100923046969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100923046969A), Sep 23, 2010: Aero Comman S2R, Pocahontas, AR, Destroyed. On September 23, 2010 at approximately 0930 CDT, N8820Q, a Aero commander S-2R was being operated in a FAR 137 agricultural operation near Pocahontas,… ## Other investigations on N8820Q (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 MIA94LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA172), Jul 3, 1994: Aero Commander S2R (N8820Q), Rolling Fork, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED CAUSES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77383. 55 KB in all. - Memorandum (item 1, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=MEMORANDUM-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.