# NTSB FTW94LA128: Aero Commander S2R, N8958Q, Monticello, AR, April 18, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1994, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Monticello, AR - Coordinates: 33.62096, -91.790466 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6210&lon=-91.7905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA128 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE INADVERTANT STALL DURING THE FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED WITH FULL FUEL AND ITS HOPPER WAS FULLY LOADED.. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1994, at 1330 central daylight time, a Aero Commander S2R, N8958Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Monticello, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that the aircraft lost engine power during initial climb from Monticello Municipal Airport. A witness reported hearing the engine making "a light backfiring noise." In an interview with the (FAA) inspector, the loader stated that the aircraft had full fuel and a full hopper. A certificated flight instructor observed the airplane make a turn to the west, and "then observed his left wing drop and saw plane pitch nose down into trees." An inspection of the accident site and surrounding area revealed that the terrain was marked by trees and other objects. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector failed to reveal any anomalies in either the airframe or engine. Numerous attempts to have the pilot file the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report) were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8958Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8958Q-1997-03-06), registration cancelled 1997-03-06, S/N 1628R (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: 1628R - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Walnut Ridge Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBF, 35 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 19940418008299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940418008299A), Apr 18, 1994: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Monticello, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout full load. Stall landed in rough terrain. ## Other investigations on N8958Q (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 FTW78DPG35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DPG35), May 24, 1978: Aero Comdr S-2R (N8958Q), Fontane, AR, 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. --- 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.