Aero Commander S2R accident near Park Rapids, Minnesota, September 1, 2011
On September 1, 2011 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Aero Commander S2R, registered N8962Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Park Rapids, Minnesota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 1, 2011 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Park Rapids, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander S2R · all S2Rs on the register
- Registration
- N8962Q · no longer on the register · serial 1632R
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While returning to the airport after completing an aerial application, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine RPM and a rise in oil temperature. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and he elected to execute a forced landing to a road. During the forced landing, the left wing contacted a tree and pivoted the airplane into trees. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed both wing spars and the right elevator were bent. Based on his observations during the engine failure and his past engine failure experience, the pilot suspected the main bearing failed within the engine. The engine was not disassembled for further examination and the cause of the engine failure was not determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,113 hours in all; 3,500 in this make and model; 330 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 15,500 as pilot in command; 1,500 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 1, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,403 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 10, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P & W R-1340-AN-1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PKD Park Rapids MN at 9:50 pm
- Destination: Park Rapids MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N8962Q the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.