# NTSB CEN17CA120: Aero Commander S2R, N1755S, Fairmont, OK, March 2, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2017, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Fairmont, OK - Coordinates: 36.324722, -97.753051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3247&lon=-97.7531&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 94825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17CA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94825/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94825 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17CA120 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line while conducting agricultural spray operations. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero Commander S2R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0143022), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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 The pilot stated that he was conducting spray operations to a pasture with power lines on its north border. As the pilot approached the pasture from the north on his fourth pass, he intended to descend after flying past the second of two cables. The pilot initiated a descent, but the airplane struck the second cable. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and a postimpact fire ensued. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he misidentified the first cable as the second cable. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was conducting spray operations to a pasture with power lines on its north border. As the pilot approached the pasture from the north on his fourth pass, he intended to descend after flying past the second of two cables. The pilot initiated a descent, but the airplane struck the second cable. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and a post impact fire ensued. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he misidentified the first cable as the second cable. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1755S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1755S-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 1455R, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER S2R (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 1455R - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 8123 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R1340-53H1-G 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Carson Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Carson Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2017 - Departed: PRI, Breckenridge, OK - Destination: PRI, Breckenridge, OK - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review April 15, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,036 total, 9,406 in this make and model, 16,949 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: KWDG, 4 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 20170302001949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170302001949A), Mar 2, 2017: Aero Commander S2R, Fairmont, OK, Destroyed. At approximately 1500 local on 2 March 2017, N1755S a Aero Commander S25 aerial application airplane, made contact with a power line and crashed in a pasture… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94825. 794 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 794 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451308&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.