Aero Commander S2R accident near Cushing, Oklahoma, April 4, 1998
On April 4, 1998 at about 5:20 pm local time, a Aero Commander S2R, registered N8984Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cushing, Oklahoma (Cushing Minicipal airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 total loss of engine power resulting from a sheared accessory drive due to an undetermined reason. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 4, 1998 · about 5:20 pm local time · cases in 1998
- Place
- Cushing, Oklahoma · Cushing Minicipal · cases near this airport · 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
- N8984Q · registry record · serial 1654-R
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial takeoff/climb a loss of manifold pressure was noted by the pilot. The engine backfired as the pilot increased the throttle and mixture and lost power. During the forced landing, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid power lines and homes. The main gear collapsed as the airplane touched down hard in an open field. Examination revealed that the mixture control arm at the carburetor was loose; however, the nut and cotter key were intact. The mixture control in the cockpit was full forward; however, the mixture control at the carburetor was set at less than 50 percent travel toward the rich stop on the carburetor. Engine continuity was confirmed to the accessory case; however, neither magneto rotated when the propeller rotated. A mechanic stated that this lack of magneto rotation indicates that the accessory shaft has sheared inside the rear case of the engine. The carburetor and engine were not disassembled, therefore, it was not determined whether the damage to the mixture control and the drive shaft were preexisting or impact related.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 19,200 hours in all; 1,600 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,263 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 11, 1998; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wright R-1820-76B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CUH at 5:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,201 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,800 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from SWO
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N8984Q on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Aero Commander S2 60 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Aero Commander 709 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Wright R-1820-76B 1 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Cushing Municipal · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Oklahoma 1,300 since 1982 · 181 in the last ten years
- Oklahoma 5,659 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/FTW98LA171.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.