# NTSB SEA95LA143: Aero Commander S2R, N3662X, Odessa, WA, July 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1995, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Odessa, WA - Coordinates: 47.340282, -118.659133 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3403&lon=-118.6591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42185 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42185/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA143 ## Probable cause LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER. ## 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 - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - sign - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY RUN, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO A ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, A WING COLLIDED WITH A SIGN POST. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELLED SIDEWAYS OFF THE ROAD, INTO A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. DURING THE ENGINE INSPECTION, A CRACK WAS FOUND ON THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER HEAD NEAR THE EXHAUST VALVE. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 1995, at 0830 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N3662X, experienced a loss of engine power after completing an aerial application spray run located eight miles west of Odessa, Washington. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road where, during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that just after completing the spray run, the engine began to miss. The pilot attempted to trouble-shoot the problem, however, shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road where during the landing roll, a wing struck a sign post. The airplane travelled sideways off the road, into a ditch and nosed over. During an inspection of the engine, a crack was found on the number four cylinder head near the exhaust valve. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3662X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3662X), registered now, S/N 1890R, 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: 1890R - Airframe hours: 5786 - Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Smith Air, Inc., doing business as Smith Air - Registered owner: Odessa Farming Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1995, 194 hours before - Departed: WA43, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,554 total, 3,426 in this make and model, 5,513 as pilot in command, 615 in the last 90 days, 250 in the last 30 days, 15 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19950706040149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950706040149A), Jul 6, 1995: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Odess, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power after spray run. Engine quit. Landed on road. Wing hit post. NR4 cylinder head crack at exhaust valve. ## Other investigations on N3662X (2) 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 WPR11CA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA252), Jun 7, 2011: Aero Commander S2R (N3662X), Odessa, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the other aircraft. - [NTSB SEA00LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA059), Mar 31, 2000: Aero Commander S2R (N3662X), Odessa, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Disintegration of a lining of the right brake and subsequent lodging of brake lining debris between the brake housing and brake disc, resulting in seizure of the right brake. A factor was that… 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. --- 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.