# NTSB MKC85LA151: Aero Commander S2R, N5543X, Paragould, AR, July 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1985, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Paragould, AR
- Coordinates: 36.050788, -90.509613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0508&lon=-90.5096&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): 33981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA151

## 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel system,carburetor - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING USED IN AERIAL APPLICATION OF ORDRAM WHEN ENGINE FAILED. A HARD LANDING RESULTED DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FLD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FLOAT NEEDLE SEAT ASS'Y BACKED OUT OF THE THREADS IN THE MAIN BODY OF THE CARBURETOR FAR ENOUGH TO HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION TO THE CARBURETOR. THREADS ON ONE SIDE OF THE BRASS SEAT ASS'Y WERE FOUND SUBSTANTIALLY WORN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5543X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5543X), registered now, S/N 1743R, built 1973 (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: 1743R
- Airframe hours: 4290
- Engines: P&W R-1340AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Quinn Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1985

## 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,973 total, 1,663 in this make and model, 175 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 235° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °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 19850703029869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850703029869A), Jul 3, 1985: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Paragould, AR, Substantial damage. Float needle seat assembly threads worn and backed out of carburetor body shutting off the fuel.

## Other investigations on N5543X (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 MIA89LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA166), May 28, 1989: Ayres S2R (N5543X), Lambert, MS, destroyed. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE ENGINE IMPELLER. THE DITCH IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

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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