# NTSB CEN11CA637: Aero Commander S2R, N8962Q, Park Rapids, MN, September 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2011, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Park Rapids, MN - Coordinates: 46.900554, -95.073059 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9006&lon=-95.0731&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA637 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81762/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81762 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA637 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While returning to the airport after completing an aerial application, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine RPM and a rise in oil temperature. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and he elected to execute a forced landing to a road. During the forced landing, the left wing contacted a tree and pivoted the airplane into trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed both wing spars and the right elevator were bent. Based on his observations during the engine failure and his past engine failure experience, the pilot suspected the main bearing failed within the engine. The engine was not disassembled for further examination and the cause of the engine failure was not determined. ## Factual narrative While returning to the airport after completing an aerial application, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine rpm and a rise in oil temperature. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and he elected to execute a forced landing on a road. During the forced landing, the left wing contacted a tree and pivoted the airplane into trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed both wing spars and the right elevator were bent. Based on his observations during the engine failure and his past engine failure experience, the pilot suspected the main bearing failed within the engine. The engine was not disassembled for further examination and the cause of the engine failure was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8962Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8962Q-2012-04-02), registration cancelled 2012-04-02, S/N 1632R, built 1973 (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 R-1340-AN-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1340-an-1) (registry code 51612, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1632R - Airframe hours: 9403 - Engines: P & W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Heuer Daniel C H - Registered owner: Heuer Daniel C H - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2011 - Departed: PKD, Park Rapids, MN - Destination: Park Rapids, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2010; seat: center; flight hours: 16,113 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 15,500 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F ## 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 20110901021229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110901021229A), Sep 1, 2011: Aero Commander S2R, Park Rapids, MN, Destroyed. While returning to pkd after aerial aplication, the aircraft experienced RPM loss. Unable to maintain altitude the pilot executed an emergency landing on a… ## Other investigations on N8962Q (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 CHI05CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA185), Jul 14, 2005: Aero Commander S2R (N8962Q), Walnut, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision. A contributing factor was the corn field. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81762. 478 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 401 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot/Owner (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot%2FOwner-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.