# NTSB DEN90LA127: Aero Commander S2R, N5649X, Sisseton, SD, June 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1990, 20:45 local (Jun 7, 1990, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Sisseton, SD
- Coordinates: 45.660007, -97.039535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6600&lon=-97.0395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA127

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. FUEL STARVATION WAS CAUSED BY A MISSING FUEL VALVE SUPPORT CLAMP AND A RESULTANT CRACKED FUEL LINE. INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS AND ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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 - turn to reverse direction
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line - cracked (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST FINISHED SPRAYING A WHEAT FIELD AND WAS IN A LEFT BANK, PULLING UP FROM THE SWATH RUN, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RESTORE PARTIAL POWER BY OPERATING THE WOBBLE PUMP, BUT IT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT. DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING, THE RIGHT WING AND LANDING GEAR WERE TORN OFF, THE PROPELLER WAS BENT, AND THE FUSELAGE DAMAGED. ADEQUATE FUEL WAS FOUND IN BOTH FUEL TANKS. A BRASS NIPPLE, CONNECTING THE FUEL SHUT-OFF VALVE TO THE WOBBLE PUMP, WAS FOUND CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. THE CRACK HAD PROPAGATED APPROXIMATELY TWO-THIRDS OF ITS CIRCUMFERENCE. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUEL VALVE SUPPORT CLAMP, DESIGNED TO RELIEVE LOADS AND STRESSES ON THE BRASS NIPPLE, WAS MISSING. EXAMINATION OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS SHOWED THE LAST RECORDED ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON AUGUST 31, 1983.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5649X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5649X-1994-08-31), registration cancelled 1994-08-31, S/N 1849R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER S2R
- Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1849R
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Yammerino, James N., doing business as Reno Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Clinton State Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 31, 1983
- Departed: 8D3, SISSETON, SD
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,859 total, 200 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F

## 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 19900606019019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900606019019A), Jun 6, 1990: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Sisseton, SD, Substantial damage. Engine quit on pullup from swath run. Crash landed. Fuel line fuel valve to pump cracked. No annual since 1983.

## Other investigations on N5649X (2)

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 FTW77DPG57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77DPG57), Jul 6, 1977: Aero Comdr S-2R (N5649X), Beedeville, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW74DQG63](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DQG63), May 31, 1974: Aero Cmdr 600S2R (N5649X), Maryneal, TX, substantial damage

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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