Aero Commander S-2D accident near Columbus, New Mexico, April 17, 1987
On April 17, 1987 at about 11:50 am local time, a Aero Commander S-2D, registered N1714S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbus, New Mexico. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 17, 1987 · about 11:50 am local time
- Place
- Columbus, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Commander S-2D · all S-2Ds on the register
- Registration
- N1714S · no longer on the register · serial 600-1347D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT DEPARTED DEMING, NM AND FLEW TO A RANCH 15 MI N OF COLUMBUS, NM, TO POSITION THE ACFT FOR AERIAL SPRAYING THAT DAY. IT WAS STILL DARK WHEN THE PLT MADE HIS APCH TO A ROAD PARALLELED BY POWER LINES ON THE LEFT AND TELEPHONE CABLE MARKER POSTS ON THE RIGHT. THE PLT SAID HE HAD LANDED ON THIS ROAD PREVIOUSLY. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A LANDING LIGHT. THE PLT SAID HE APPARENTLY ALLOWED THE ACFT TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. REALIZING THIS, THE PLT ADDED POWER AND BANKED IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. THE LEFT WING TIP SNAGGED A POWER LINE THEN A DOUBLE TRANSFORMER POLE. THE ACFT CARTWHEELED AND CRASHED IN AN ADJOINING FIELD, COMING TO REST INVERTED. THE PLT SAID HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,720 hours in all; 5,000 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 14,095 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,200 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 19, 1986
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340-AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DMN Deming NM at 11:30 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:35 pm from DMN, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.