Aero Commander S2R N5521X accident near Westbrook, Minnesota

Probable cause

A runway excursion during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot reported that the airplane experienced a loss of engine power at rotation during takeoff. The airplane cleared a soybean field off the end of the runway and then a two-lane road before entering a corn field on the opposite side of the road. The airplane traveled about 300 ft into the corn field with 8-ft-tall corn before nosing over and coming to rest. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a loss of engine power or a mechanical failure or malfunction of the flight control system.

Engine monitor data revealed that the accident takeoff was the fifth takeoff of the day. At the beginning of the takeoff, the engine speed and torque increased smoothly to full power. About 50 seconds after the takeoff began, the engine speed and torque decreased abruptly over 3 or 4 seconds consistent with the encounter with the corn field.

The distance that the airplane traveled into the corn field was consistent with normal acceleration under full engine power during the takeoff run. The engine monitor data revealed that the engine was producing full power until encountering the corn field with no evidence of a loss of engine power. Thus, because the available evidence indicated that the airplane was operating normally at the time of the accident, the investigation was unable to determine why the runway excursion occurred.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA332 for the full record.