# NTSB FTW97LA137: Aero Commander S2R, N8985Q, Dilley, TX, March 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1997, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Dilley, TX - Coordinates: 28.660503, -99.169647 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6605&lon=-99.1696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20179 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20179/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA137 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering over high transmission line(s), which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with the terrain. The unfavorable weather condition (with turbulence) and the obstruction (high transmission line) were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed Dilly Airport loaded with fertilizer for an aerial application flight with 'no problem.' Approximately 3 miles to the southwest of Dilly, he 'was going to the field and hit some rough turbulence over an old sand pasture.' He also stated that, 'The plane was running fine, but it was hot, humid, and I was heavy.' The pilot began to 'dump' his fertilizer load, but the airplane did not 'come back up or gain much speed.' The pilot pulled up to 'get over a high line wire,' and 'after going over it, I lost most of my airspeed.' The airplane then impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1997, at 1700 central standard time, an Aero Commander S2R agricultural airplane, N8985Q, was substantially damaged following a loss of comtrol while maneuvering near Dilley, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Rusty's Flying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight that originated at 1650. No flight plan had been filed. The aircraft was loaded with fertilizer to be applied on potatoes. The pilot reported that he departed Dilly airport with "no problem." Approximately 3 miles to the southwest of Dilly, he "was going to the field and hit some rough turbulence over an old sand pasture." He also stated that, "the plane was running fine, but it was hot, humid, and I was heavy." The pilot began to "dump" his fertilizer load, but the airplane did not "come back up or gain much speed." The pilot pulled up to "get over a high line wire," and "after going over it, I lost most of my airspeed." The airplane then impacted the ground damaging the leading edges of the wings, and separating the main landing gear from the fuselage. The engine and propeller were also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8985Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8985Q-2004-09-20), registration cancelled 2004-09-20, S/N 1655R, 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: 1655R - Airframe hours: 7991 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Russell L. Lindeman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1996, 603 hours before - Departed: 24R, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,370 total, 6,700 in this make and model, 9,344 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °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 19970321003439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970321003439A), Mar 21, 1997: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Dilley, TX, Substantial damage. Encountered deae air. Settled. Began dumping. Pulled up to miss wires. Stalled and hit ground. Possible over gross. (-23) pilot had begun spray run across… 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.