# NTSB FTW96LA346: Aero Commander S2R, N8992Q, Hatch, NM, August 11, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1996, 00:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Hatch, NM
- Coordinates: 32.660972, -107.149909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6610&lon=-107.1499&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 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA346

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.  A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

The FAA inspector reported that the airplane experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot executed a forced landing on a river levee.  During the landing roll out, the right wing impacted a pole resulting in structural damage to the wing and flap.  There were no reported eyewitnesses to the accident.  The pilot did not possess a Part 137 certificate for aerial application.  The pilot did not return any of the several NTSB accident report forms that were sent to his last known address.  Several telephone messages left for the pilot were unanswered and his current telephone number is unlisted.

## Factual narrative

On August 11, 1996, at an unknown mountain daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N8992Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hatch, New Mexico.  The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  The aerial application airplane was being operated by the owner, under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated from the Hatch Municipal Airport at an unknown time.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the non-certificated aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed.

The FAA inspector reported that the airplane experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot executed a forced landing on a river levee.  During the landing roll out, the right wing impacted a pole resulting in structural damage to the wing and flap.

There were no reported eyewitnesses to the accident.  A review of the FAA files revealed that at the time of the accident the pilot's flight physical had expired.  Furthermore, the pilot did not possess a Part 137 certificate for aerial application.

The pilot did not return any of the several NTSB 6120.1/2 Forms that were sent to his last known address.  Several telephone messages left for the pilot were unanswered and his current telephone number is unlisted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8992Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8992Q-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 1662R, built 1972 (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: 1662R
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Marc A. South
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: EO5

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: front; flight hours: 8,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19960811045499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960811045499A), Aug 11, 1996: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Hatch, NM, Substantial damage. Lost power on ag flight. Landed on river levee. Right wing hit pole. Medical expired. No ag certificate. (-23) the pilot performed an emergency landing and…

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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