# NTSB FTW95LA282: Aero Commander S2R, N5654X, Newport, AR, July 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1995, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Newport, AR - Coordinates: 35.619735, -91.22998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6197&lon=-91.2300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19485 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19485/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA282 ## Probable cause A DISCONNECTED THROTTLE PUSH PULL ROD, DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## 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 - throttle/power lever,push/pull rod - disconnected (cause) - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis WHILE MANEUVERING DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT 'SHUDDERED SLIGHTLY' AND THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE BEGAN DROPPING. HE TRIED TO INCREASED ENGINE POWER WITH 'PROP PITCH TO FULL FORWARD,' BUT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A RICE LEVEE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL PUSH PULL TUBE HAD DISENGAGED. THE BOLT, WASHER, AND COTTER PIN (USED TO SECURE THE THROTTLE CONTROL PUSH PULL TUBE) COULD NOT BE LOCATED. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 1995, at 1430 central daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N5654X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Newport, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight operated by Nu-Look, Inc. The flight originated at 1425 in Newport, Arkansas, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated, in the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that during "turnaround" from his third pass of fertilizing a rice field, the aircraft "shuddered slightly" followed by a drop in manifold pressure. He "increased power and prop pitch to full forward" and began dumping his load of dry fertilizer as he "started for the private airstrip about one mile away." The pilot further reported that the aircraft could not maintain altitude so he executed a forced landing to a field. The "airplane slid approximately 100 feet, hit [a] rice levee, pitched up onto [its] nose, then fell back onto [its] belly" and caught on fire. A post crash examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the throttle control push pull tube, P/N 901-13, was found disconnected from the throttle and that the nut, bolt, washer, and cotter pin were missing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5654X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5654X-2009-06-26), registration cancelled 2009-06-26, S/N 1854R, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER S2R - Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1854R - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: James L. Rash - Registered owner: Nu-Look, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 1995, 150 hours before - Departed: NONE, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,850 total, 7,200 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19950706017209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950706017209A), Jul 6, 1995: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Newport, AR, Substantial damage. Shuddered. Lost power. Hit rice levee landing. Throttle control push pull tube disengaged. Bolt cotter pin missing. 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.