# NTSB SEA94LA036: Aero Commander S2R, N8818Q, Pasco, WA, November 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1993, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Pasco, WA
- Coordinates: 46.410499, -118.900215 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4105&lon=-118.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE IRRIGATION SPRINKLER SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A PULLUP FROM A SPRAY RUN AND TRANSITION TO STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT, ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN GEAR IMPACTED THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR AN IRRIGATION SPRINKLER SYSTEM. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On November 18, 1993, at approximately 1045 hours Pacific standard time (PST), an Aero Commander S2R, N8818Q, registered to/operated by Air Trac, Inc., and being flown by Gerald R. Titus, a certificated commercial pilot, was destroyed during a collision with an irrigation sprinkler system and terrain. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was to be conducted for the purposes of aerial application, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements of 14CFR137 and departed from Carr Airport, near Pasco, Washington, at approximately 1030 hours.

The pilot reported that following a pullup from a spray run and transition to straight and level flight, he "heard a sequence of noise(s), (the) aircraft controls became useless and (the) aircraft impacted the ground."

On site examination revealed black rubber smears on the irrigation sprinkler support structure, and one of the main wheels was observed on the ground a short distance from the damaged sprinkler section and in line with the wreckage distribution track (refer to photograph 1).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8818Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8818Q-1996-12-11), registration cancelled 1996-12-11, S/N 1518R (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: 1518R
- Airframe hours: 9066
- Engines: P&W 1340-AN-2 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Air Trac, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Trac, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1992, 206 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 15,150 total, 11,000 in this make and model, 14,960 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19931118043689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931118043689A), Nov 18, 1993: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Pasco, WA, Destroyed. Collided with irrigation sprinkler system on pullup from spray run.

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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