N5539XAERO COMMANDER S-2R 1991-04-15 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Fatal

AERO COMMANDER S-2R S/N: 1739

Summary

On April 15, 1991, a Aero Commander S-2R (N5539X) was involved in an accident near Grangeville, ID. The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE IMPROPER DECISION BY THE PILOT TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT IN IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, RESULTING IN PILOT DISORIENTATION AND INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO A BOX CANYON. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE RAIN SHOWERS AND LOW CEILING WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE BOX CANYON IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA91LA260. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5539X.

Accident Details

Date
Monday, April 15, 1991
NTSB Number
SEA91LA260
Location
GRANGEVILLE, ID
Event ID
20001212X16895
Coordinates
45.899524, -116.129760
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

THE IMPROPER DECISION BY THE PILOT TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT IN IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, RESULTING IN PILOT DISORIENTATION AND INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO A BOX CANYON. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE RAIN SHOWERS AND LOW CEILING WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE BOX CANYON IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
AERO COMMANDER
Serial Number
1739
Engine Type
Turbo-jet
Model / ICAO
S-2R L29
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
KELSEY STEVE W
Address
ROUTE 2 BOX 256
Status
Deregistered
City
RIGBY
State / Zip Code
ID 83442
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA91LA260