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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 5, 2002 · Aero Commander S2R-T34 · N8822Q

Los Banos, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Los Banos, CA
Aircraft
Aero Commander S2R-T34
Tail Number
N8822Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA246

The airplane collided with terrain while making a turn during an aerial application flight. The pilot had just finished his first pass over the field. He then pulled up and entered a left turn over hilly terrain along the farm's southern edge. The combined climbing turn and low airspeed were enough to stall the left wing. Shortly thereafter, the left wing contacted terrain. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were noted by the pilot prior to the mishap. Light winds were reported northwest from 1 to 3 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On August 5, 2002, at 0620 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R-T34, collided with terrain while making a turn during an aerial application flight near Los Banos, California. The airplane was operated by Vance Aircraft Salvage, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local area aerial application flight that originated from a nearby private farm airstrip at 0610. The pilot reported that he had just made his first north-to-south pass over the field to which he was applying chemicals. He then reported pulling up and entering a left turn over hilly terrain along the farm's southern edge in an effort to make a second pass over the field. The combination of the climbing turn and low airspeed was enough to stall the left wing. Shortly thereafter, the left wing contacted terrain. The pilot reported weather the morning of the accident as being clear with light northwest winds at 1-3 knots. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were noted by the pilot prior to the mishap.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:20 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander S2R-T34
Tail NumberN8822Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-34AG · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data