# NTSB CHI96LA293: Aero Commander 600, N1797S, Rhinelander, WI, August 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1996, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Rhinelander, WI - Coordinates: 45.630443, -89.410377 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6304&lon=-89.4104&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 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10358/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA293 ## Probable cause a total 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 object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During an aerial application flight the airplane sustained a total loss of engine power. The pilot executed an emergency dump of the on board chemicals, followed by an emergency landing. During landing the airplane impacted small pine trees in a clear cut area of a forest, and before the airplane came to a stop it was on fire. The post flight accident investigation was limited due to the fire damage sustained by the aircraft. Due to the lack of evidence remaining the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1996, at 1515 central daylight time (cdt), a Aero Commander 600, N1797S, was destroyed during an aerial application flight near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The airplane struck tress during landing, and was consumed by a post crash fire. The pilot reported a total loss of engine power during the flight. The commercial rated pilot was uninjured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that during the emergency descent following the loss of power that he moved the propeller and throttle to their forward positions. The pilot reported that the airplane continued to lose altitude, and he executed an emergency dump of the chemicals on board the airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane impacted small pine trees in a clear cut area of a forrest during landing, and before the airplane came to a stop it was on fire. The post flight examination conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, was extremely limited due to the fire damage sustained by the aircraft. All flight control cables were still attached to their surfaces. The instrument panel and instruments were destroyed by fire. The engine was broken loose from its mount, and came to rest inside the chemical hopper. The carburetor, and all engine accessories had melted. Several of the bottom cylinders on the radial engine had separated from the engine. One propeller blade was bent, the other blade did not show any signs of impact damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1797S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1797S-1997-02-24), registration cancelled 1997-02-24, S/N 6001397D (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 600 - Registry model: [Aero Commander 600 S-2D](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-600-s-2d) (registry code 0143010) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 600-1397D - Airframe hours: 10854 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Farmers Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1996, 400 hours before - Departed: RHI, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,305 total, 65 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 135 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KRH ## 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 19960812022309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960812022309A), Aug 12, 1996: Ayres 600S2DNORMAL, Rhinelander, WI, Destroyed. (-23) On August 12, 1996 at 1515 CDT a rockwell S2-600-S2D, N1797S, experienced an engine failure and made a forced landing colliding with trees while… 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.