# NTSB SEA89LA048: Aero Commander S2R, N5620X, Cottonwood, ID, February 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1989, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, ID
- Coordinates: 45.940219, -116.520568 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9402&lon=-116.5206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE DUE TO THE WHITE OUT CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS AIRCRAFT AND THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING PRACTICE AERIAL APPLICATIONS IN PREPARATION FOR HIS CFR 137 CERTIFICATION. THE MAIN GEAR CONTACTED THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN DURING A LOW LEVEL MANEUVER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN CARTWHEELED. THE PILOT REPORTED ONLY TWO HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5620X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5620X-1990-12-26), registration cancelled 1990-12-26, S/N 1820R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER S2R
- Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1820R
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerome W. Fox
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: GRANGEVILLE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19890208046879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890208046879A), Feb 8, 1989: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Cottonwood, ID, Substantial damage. Practicing contour flying to obtain 137 certificate. Wheels hit snow. The aircraft cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N5620X (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 SEA90LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA097), Jun 6, 1990: Rockwell S2R (N5620X), Cottonwood, ID, destroyed. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE BERM, WHICH THE AIRPLANE STRUCK DURING LANDING, WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

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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