# NTSB CHI93DTG02: Aero Commander S2R, N5635X, Hoople, ND, July 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1993, 21:00 local (Jul 18, 1993, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Hoople, ND
- Coordinates: 48.530948, -97.63034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5309&lon=-97.6303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9148
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93DTG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9148/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93DTG02

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND LOSE POWER DURING A SPRAY RUN. HE RELEASED THE LOAD AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LANDING ON A NEARBY ROAD. HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE ROAD AND LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD, NOSING OVER. THE #3 CYLINDER WAS FOUND CRACKED.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 1993, at 2100 central daylight time (CDT), an Aero Commander S2R, N5635X, registered to Mid Continent Aircraft Corp., Hayti, Missouri, sustained substantial damage in a forced landing near Hoople, North Dakota. The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power while the pilot was conducting aerial application operations under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no VFR flight plan was filed.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the  commercial pilot was not injured.  The flight originated at St. Thomas, ND, at 2040 CDT.

The pilot stated the engine began to run rough during a spray run.  He said he released the load and attempted to make a landing on a nearby road, but did not have sufficient power to make it to the road.  He landed in a wheat field, and the airplane nosed-over during landing roll.

The examination of the engine revealed the number 3 cylinder was cracked.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5635X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER S2R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1835R
- Airframe hours: 7308
- Engines: P&W R-1340-ANI 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Darrel C. Bjornson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1993, 71 hours before
- Departed: ND59, ST. THOMAS, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,589 total, 2,459 in this make and model, 9,429 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Observed at: GFK, 45 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 19930717024239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930717024239A), Jul 17, 1993: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Hoople, ND, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on spray run. Dumped load. Unable make road. Nosed over in wheat. Cylinder cracked between plugs.

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.

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