# NTSB FTW99LA097: Aero Commander S2R, N5647X, Hobart, OK, March 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 1999, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Hobart, OK - Coordinates: 35.019214, -99.089546 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0192&lon=-99.0895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45936 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45936/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA097 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason. A factor was the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, at lift off speed, the engine backfired smoke and flame from the exhaust port. The pilot shut down the engine and braked to a stop; however, the airplane struck a ditch and the main landing gear collapsed. While exiting the aircraft, the pilot noticed black smoke coming from the accessory compartment. The airplane was subsequently destroyed by fire. Fire damage prevented a determination of the cause for a loss of engine power. Two days prior to this accident the pilot had experienced a loss of engine power and landed in a field. He assessed that it was possibly a carburetor float or seat sticking. On the day of the accident, the pilot replaced the carburetor and restarted the engine. There were no discrepancies found during the ground check. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 1999, at 1720 central standard time, an Aero Commander S2R, agricultural airplane, N5647X, struck a ditch during an aborted takeoff following a loss of engine power. The airplane was owned by Burnette Flying Service at Wynne, Arkansas, and operated by AFS Spraying Service, Hobart, Oklahoma, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed by a fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local aerial application flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Local authorities and the FAA inspector reported that during the takeoff there was a loss of engine power. The airplane struck a ditch and the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid to a stop and the pilot exited the cockpit prior to the fire destroying the airplane. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that the airplane had experienced a loss of engine power on March 17, 1999, and he had executed an emergency landing in a field. He assessed that it was "possibly a carburetor float or seat sticking". On March 19, 1999, he replaced the carburetor and restarted the engine. There were no discrepancies found during the ground check; however, "at lift off speed the engine backfired smoke and flame from the exhaust port." The pilot shut down the engine and braked to a stop. While exiting the aircraft, the pilot noticed black smoke coming from the accessory compartment. The airplane was examined by the FAA inspector and the operator. Fire damage prevented a determination of a cause for the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5647X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5647X-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 1847R, 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: 1847R - Airframe hours: 3650 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Robert B. Gould, doing business as Afs Spraying Service - Registered owner: Burnette Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1999, 36 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,973 total, 485 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °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 19990319002579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990319002579A), Mar 19, 1999: Ayres S2R, Hobart, OK, Destroyed. (.19) On March 19, 1999, at 1907 central standard time, an aero commander S2R, agricultural airplane, N5647X, struck a ditch during a forced landing. The… ## Other investigations on N5647X (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 FTW79FPG50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPG50), Jun 12, 1979: Na Rockwell S2R (N5647X), Marked Tree, 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.