# NTSB LAX93LA167: Aero Commander ST-R, N1783S, San Jose, CA, April 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1993, 10:06 local (17:06 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 36.888999, -121.239242 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8890&lon=-121.2392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA167

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS EXECUTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION PROCEDURE TURN-AROUND WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY ENTERED INTO A STALL AND SPUN TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO REPORTED PREEXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES.

## Factual narrative

On April 7, 1993, at about 1006 hours Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell Aero Commander ST-R, N1783S, crashed in an open field about 13 miles southeast of San Jose, California.  The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules aerial application flight.  The airplane, operated by Ag-Rotors, Inc., dba Cantrell Ag Air, was destroyed.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Hollister Airport, Hollister, California, at about 0930 hours.

Mr. Jim Friel, principal operations inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), San Jose [California] Flight Standards District Office, conducted the on scene investigation.  Inspector Friel reported that the ground loader stated that the pilot was spraying the field with Bamville mixed with MCTA/AMINE herbicide.  At the completion of a spray run the aircraft pulled up sharply and nosed over during the procedure turn-around.

The operator reported that the pilot executed 4 to 5 aerial application passes over the wheat field.  During the last spray pass, the airplane entered into a "stall and spun into the ground."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1783S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1783S-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 600-1408D, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER ST-R
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 600 S-2D RESTRICTED](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-600-s-2d-restricted) (registry code 0143012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 600-1408D
- Airframe hours: 8217
- Engines: P&W R-1340-81A 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ag-Rotors, Inc., doing business as Cantrell Ag Air
- Registered owner: Joey Scagliotti
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1992, 251 hours before
- Departed: 3O7, HOLLISTER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 790 total, 260 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930407008059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930407008059A), Apr 7, 1993: Ayres 600S2DNORMAL, San Jose, CA, Destroyed. Pulled up sharply at end of spray run. Stalled and spun in

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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