# NTSB LAX94LA327: Aero Commander S2R, N8843Q, Firebaugh, CA, August 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1994, 20:42 local (Aug 19, 1994, 03:42 UTC)
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Coordinates: 36.850627, -120.540863 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8506&lon=-120.5409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28832
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28832/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA327

## Probable cause

the loss of engine power due to the failure of the number 2 cylinder head.  A factor was the dark night conditions which inhibited the pilot's ability to visually detect ground obstructions in the landing area.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. HE LANDED ON THE SHOULDER OF A MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A HIGHWAY SIGNPOST. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER HEAD WAS CRACKED.

## Factual narrative

On August 18, 1994, at 2042 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R airplane, N8843Q, collided with a highway signpost during a forced landing near Firebaugh, California.  The forced landing was precipitated by a complete loss of power.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Tri Air, Inc., of Firebaugh, California, and was engaged in an aerial application operation.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage to the left wing.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated from the Firebaugh airport on the evening of the accident at about 2030 hours as a local area aerial application flight.

The pilot stated he was in cruise flight when the engine lost all power.  He landed on the shoulder of a major interstate highway and the left wing collided with a highway signpost.  Postaccident inspection of the aircraft revealed that the number 2 cylinder head was cracked.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8843Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8843Q-2017-05-23), registration cancelled 2017-05-23, S/N 1543R, 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: 1543R
- Airframe hours: 10700
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Tri Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Tri Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1994, 10 hours before
- Departed: Q49
- Destination: Q49

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19940818022469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940818022469A), Aug 18, 1994: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Firebaugh, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landed on highway shoulder. Wing struck a sign post. Nr 2 engine cylinder had cracked.

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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