# NTSB CHI03LA106: Aero Commander S2R, N5519X, Benson, MN, April 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 2003, 20:30 local (Apr 13, 2003, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Benson, MN - Coordinates: 45.317222, -95.607223 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3172&lon=-95.6072&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56875/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA106 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - Nose over, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The airplane's engine lost power during an aerial application pass and the airplane nosed over during the subsequent forced landing. The pilot executed a forced landing to a plowed field and the airplane nosed over. No deficiencies were found with respect to the airplane's engine. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 2003, about 2030 central daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N5519X, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing near Benson, Minnesota. The airplane was spraying a plowed field when the engine lost power at the start of a spray run. The pilot landed in the field and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Benson Municipal Airport, Benson, Minnesota, about 1900. An examination of the airplane's engine was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The engine was able to be rotated. Valve function and "thumb" compression were verified. The magneto timing was checked and the fuel screens were examined with no anomalies noted. No deficiencies were found that would have precluded normal engine operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5519X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5519X-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 1719R, 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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1719R - Airframe hours: 6628 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Benson Air-Ag, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 2002, 82.4 hours before - Departed: BBB, BENSON, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 12, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KAQP, 16 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 20030412009389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030412009389A), Apr 12, 2003: Ayres S2R, Benson, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) On 04/12/03, at 2000 CDT, an aero commander (Ayres) S2R, owned by Benson air ag, inc. and operated by Douglas jackson forced landed during an aerial… ## Other investigations on N5519X (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 CHI08CA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA176), Jul 6, 2008: Aero Commander S2R (N5519X), Clontarf, MN, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines. Contributing to the accident was the power transmission lines. 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.