# NTSB LAX89DVA09: Aero Commander S2R, N4072X, Tranquillity, CA, August 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1989, 23:15 local (Aug 11, 1989, 06:15 UTC)
- Place: Tranquillity, CA
- Coordinates: 36.65092, -120.27906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6509&lon=-120.2791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVA09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA09

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S VISUAL LOOK-OUT WAS INADEQUATE AND THAT HE FAILED TO SEE THE HIGH VEGETATION UPON LANDING. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT ARE DARK NIGHT AND HIGH VEGETATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A NIGHT AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT AND WAS LANDING AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. ON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SOME WEEDS CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO EXIT THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT MAKING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL NOT POSSIBLE. BOTH MAIN LANDING GEARS COLLAPSED WHEN THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE SOFT TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4072X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4072X-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 1915R, built 1974 (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: 1915R
- Airframe hours: 5150
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mid-Cal Ag Aviation
- Registered owner: John & Gail Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1989, 155 hours before
- Departed: NONE, KERMAN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890810028889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890810028889A), Aug 10, 1989: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Tranquility, CA, Substantial damage. Wing caught in high weeds on edge of Private strip. Left runway into soft field, side load wiped gear. Spar broken.

## Other investigations on N4072X (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 FTW74FRD36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FRD36), May 12, 1974: Aero Comdr 600S2R (N4072X), Rayne, LA, 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.

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