# NTSB DEN87LA102: Aero Commander S-2D, N1714S, Columbus, NM, April 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1987, 05:50 local (11:50 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, NM
- Coordinates: 31.820541, -107.639907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8205&lon=-107.6399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing light(s) - lack of (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - object - utility pole
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED DEMING, NM AND FLEW TO A RANCH 15 MI N OF COLUMBUS, NM, TO POSITION THE ACFT FOR AERIAL SPRAYING THAT DAY. IT WAS STILL DARK WHEN THE PLT MADE HIS APCH TO A ROAD PARALLELED BY POWER LINES ON THE LEFT AND TELEPHONE CABLE MARKER POSTS ON THE RIGHT. THE PLT SAID HE HAD LANDED ON THIS ROAD PREVIOUSLY. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A LANDING LIGHT. THE PLT SAID HE APPARENTLY ALLOWED THE ACFT TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. REALIZING THIS, THE PLT ADDED POWER AND BANKED IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. THE LEFT WING TIP SNAGGED A POWER LINE THEN A DOUBLE TRANSFORMER POLE. THE ACFT CARTWHEELED AND CRASHED IN AN ADJOINING FIELD, COMING TO REST INVERTED. THE PLT SAID HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1714S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1714S-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 600-1347D, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER S-2D
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 600 S-2D](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-600-s-2d) (registry code 0143010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 600-1347D
- Airframe hours: 4200
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southwest Aviation Serv. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 19, 1986
- Departed: DMN, DEMING, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 14,720 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 14,095 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DMN, 11 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 19870417010129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870417010129A), Apr 17, 1987: Ayres 600S2DRESTD, Columbus, NM, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck wires and a pole while landing at night on a road. Pilot allowed aircraft to drift into wires.

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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