# NTSB SEA02LA166: Aero Commander S2R Thrush, N8870Q, Connell, WA, August 21, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2002, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Connell, WA - Coordinates: 46.662223, -118.833053 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6622&lon=-118.8331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Spokane FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55580 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55580/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA166 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. Factors include rough uneven terrain. ## Analysis The commercial pilot was landing the tail wheel equipped airplane on runway 25. The pilot stated that during the landing rollout, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered to the left. The pilot attempted to regain runway centerline, however, the airplane continued to the left and encountered rough terrain. After encountering the rough terrain, the airplane's right main gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron. The pilot reported that the winds, at the time of the accident, were from 190 degrees at 3-5 knots, gusting to 10-15 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2002, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R "Thrush", N8870Q, sustained substantial damage while on landing roll at Connell City Airport, Connell, Washington. The airplane is registered to B & R Crop Care of Connell, Washington, and was being operated as an aerial application flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 137, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local agricultural flight. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on August 28, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 25. The pilot stated that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered to the left. The pilot attempted to regain runway centerline, however, the airplane continued to the left and encountered rough terrain. After encountering the rough terrain, the airplane's right main gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron. The pilot reported that the winds, at the time of the accident, were from 190 degrees at 3-5 knots, gusting to 10-15 knots. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8870Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8870Q-2018-06-04), registration cancelled 2018-06-04, S/N 1470R, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander S2R Thrush - 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: 1420R - Airframe hours: 5700 - Engines: Walter M-60 E1 751 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: B & R Crop Care - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2002, 5,620 hours before - Departed: WA14, Connell, WA - Destination: WA14, Connell, WA - Airport: WA14, Connell City, runway 27, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 26, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 16,118 total, 252 in this make and model, 16,118 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KPSC, 26 nm away ## 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 20020821023519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020821023519A), Aug 21, 2002: Ayres S2R, Connell, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported severe wind gust (dust devil) after landing which caused him to lose control of the aircraft. Aircraft came to a rest after ground loop… ## Other investigations on N8870Q (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CEN16FA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA328), Aug 19, 2016: Aero Commander S2R (N8870Q), Center, CO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a low-level maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB CHI74FEC41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FEC41-201655), Jun 29, 1973: Aero Comdr 600S2R (N8870Q), Ottowa Lake, MI, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.