# NTSB CHI05CA185: Aero Commander S2R, N8962Q, Walnut, IL, July 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2005, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Walnut, IL - Coordinates: 41.533332, -89.583335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5333&lon=-89.5833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-DuPage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62066 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62066/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA185 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision. A contributing factor was the corn field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during the agricultural application flight. The pilot reported that after takeoff he "sprayed" a field about 25 miles east of the departure airstrip. He stated that while returning to the airstrip, he experienced "fuel exhaustion four miles east of [the] runway" at 600 feet above ground level. He noted that he turned toward the north into the prevailing winds and executed a forced landing into a corn field. The pilot stated that there were no malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2005, at 1430 central daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N8962Q, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Walnut, Illinois. The agricultural application flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight departed from the pilot's private airstrip, Woodley Airstrip, located near Walnut, Illinois, about 1330. In his written statement, the pilot reported that after takeoff he "sprayed" a field about 25 miles east of the departure airstrip. He stated that while returning to the airstrip, he experienced "fuel exhaustion four miles east of [the] runway" at 600 feet above ground level. He noted that he turned toward the north into the prevailing winds and executed a forced landing into a corn field. The pilot stated that there were no malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. ## 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: 8034 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN2 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 40 hours before - Departed: PVT, Walnut, IL - Airport: PVT, Woodley Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 1,665 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,665 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: SQI, 10 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 20050714023849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050714023849A), Jul 14, 2005: Ayres S2R, Walnut, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon returning from an aerial spray, the pilot [privacy data omitted] stated his fuel guages were at 1/4 each when the engine failed. He attempted to… ## 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 CEN11CA637](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA637), Sep 1, 2011: Aero Commander S2R (N8962Q), Park Rapids, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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.