# NTSB LAX04CA323: Aero Commander S2R, N8822Q, Firebaugh, CA, September 18, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2004, 01:47 local (08:47 UTC) - Place: Firebaugh, CA - Coordinates: 36.849998, -120.451385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8500&lon=-120.4514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60204 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60204/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA323 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from high tension wires in dark night conditions. The reason for the loss of engine power after the wire collision was not determined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - object - wire,static - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane collided with high-tension wires while the pilot was performing an aerial application pass over crops. As the pilot was applying agriculture spray to the fields below, he maneuvered the airplane underneath the high-tension wires in the area. After finishing a field, he configured the airplane in a climb, and the airplane collided with the high-tension wires. The engine experienced a loss of power and the pilot made a forced landing in an almond orchard. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 2004, at 0147 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N8822Q, collided with high-tension wires while the pilot was performing an aerial application flight in Firebaugh, California. Vance Aircraft Salvage, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local aerial application flight departed a private airstrip at an unknown time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was flying in a southerly direction while applying agriculture spray to the fields below in dark night conditions. As he was spraying, he maneuvered the airplane underneath the high-tension wires in the area. After finishing a field, he configured the airplane in a climb. He began the climb too early, and the airplane collided with the high-tension wires. While cutting through the wires, he maneuvered the airplane in a right turn, and the engine experienced a loss of power. With the engine producing no power, he made a forced landing in an almond orchard. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The airplane incurred damage to both wings, the landing gear, booms, and engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8822Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8822Q-2007-08-29), registration cancelled 2007-08-29, S/N 1522R, built 1970 (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: 1522R - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Vance Aircraft Salvage - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Firebaugh, CA - Destination: Firebaugh, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 12,354 total, 12,250 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark ## 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 20040918022049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040918022049A), Sep 18, 2004: Ayres S2R, Firebaugh, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was spraying a field at night, flying under high tension powerlines suspended by towers, that converged into his flight path. Thinking he was at… ## Other investigations on N8822Q (2) 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 LAX02LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA246), Aug 5, 2002: Aero Commander S2R-T34 (N8822Q), Los Banos, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. - [NTSB LAX83LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA148), Mar 17, 1983: Aero Commander S-2R (N8822Q), Dos Palos, CA, 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.