# NTSB LAX70F0157: Aero Comdr S-2R, N8988Q, Shafter, CA, October 13, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 13, 1969
- Place: Shafter, CA · SHAFTER, CA
- Location: 35.5005° N, 119.2718° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shafter, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5005&lon=-119.2718&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 158782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX70F0157
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70F0157

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2695  69/10/13   SHAFTER,CALIF       AERO COMDR S-2R     CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 40, 20000
        TIME - 1305                    N8988Q              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 325 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SHAFTER,CALIF               SHAFTER,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO EXISTING WIND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - DEFOLIATION (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - NOT AVAILABLE
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
        REMARKS- DURG CLIMB TOWARDS WIRES AT APRX ELEV OF TOP WIRES ACFT OBSVD TO STALL AND TURN TO R.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8988Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8988Q), registered now, S/N 1488R, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMDR S-2R
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N8988Q (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 CHI91DTG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DTG06), Jul 20, 1991: Ayres S2R (N8988Q), Drayton, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: THAT THE PILOT DID NOT PERFORM ANY PREFLIGHT PLANNING, AND DID NOT USE THE AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE DATA.

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.