N8985Q

On March 21, 1997, at 1700 central standard time, an Aero Commander S2R agricultural airplane, N8985Q, was substantially damaged following a loss of comtrol while maneuvering near Dilley, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Rusty's Flying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight that originated at 1650. No flight plan had been filed.

The aircraft was loaded with fertilizer to be applied on potatoes. The pilot reported that he departed Dilly airport with "no problem." Approximately 3 miles to the southwest of Dilly, he "was going to the field and hit some rough turbulence over an old sand pasture." He also stated that, "the plane was running fine, but it was hot, humid, and I was heavy." The pilot began to "dump" his fertilizer load, but the airplane did not "come back up or gain much speed." The pilot pulled up to "get over a high line wire," and "after going over it, I lost most of my airspeed." The airplane then impacted the ground damaging the leading edges of the wings, and separating the main landing gear from the fuselage. The engine and propeller were also damaged.