# NTSB MKC84LA231: Aero Commander S2R, N3669X, Garden City, KS, July 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1984, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Garden City, KS
- Coordinates: 37.990737, -100.979316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9907&lon=-100.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACFT WAS FUELED HE FAILED TO VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS AND JUST ASSUMED BOTH TANKS WERE FULL. HE STATED THE LEFT FUEL GAGE HAD BEEN INOPERATIVE ABOVE 1/2 TANK OF FUEL. DURING A SPRAY RUN, WHEN THE RIGHT TANK REACHED 1/4, HE SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH THEN IT LOST ALL POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER THE SOFT FIELD LANDING HE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER AND PURPOSELY GROUND LOOPED THE ACFT TO AVOID CONTACTING A DIRT BENCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3669X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3669X), registered now, S/N 1893R, 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: 1893R
- Airframe hours: 2780
- Engines: P&W R-134-0 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Air Ag Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1984
- Departed: GARDEN CITY, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,792 total, 78 in this make and model, 1,792 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840724034599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840724034599A), Jul 24, 1984: Ayres S2RRESTD, Garden City, KS, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion. Pilot did not pre flight fuel.

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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