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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 8, 1998 · Rockwell S-2R · N5033X

Dothan, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dothan, AL
Aircraft
Rockwell S-2R
Tail Number
N5033X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL98LA107

According to the pilot, he had just finished spraying chemical on a field and was turning towards another field. He was at 200-300 feet when the engine 'popped' and quit. He attempted to restart, and set up to land on a county road. The vertical stabilizer struck a power line, and the airplane yawed to the left. The airplane then touched down, bounced, struck a tree, and ground looped, finally coming to rest near the treeline. According to the FAA Inspector who examined the airplane. The pilot had departed Headland Municipal Airport with about 65 gallons of fuel onboard, 50 gallons in the left tank and 15 gallons in the right. According to the pilot, the airplane burns about 50 gallons of fuel an hour. Examination of the airplane found no fuel remaining in the fuel tanks nor any odor of fuel at the crash site.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel Exhaustion due to the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations. A factor was the power line.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 1998, at 1030 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N5033X, collided with power lines and the ground after experiencing a loss of engine power near Dothan, Alabama. The aerial application flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. No flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Headland Municipal Airport at 0930. According to the pilot, he had just finished spraying chemical on a field and was turning towards another field. He was at 200-300 feet when the engine "popped" and quit. He attempted to restart, and set up to land on a county road. He applied full flaps and was committed to land when a truck on the county road noticed him and stopped on his intended landing point. The pilot stated he pulled back and flew between the truck and power lines. The vertical stabilizer struck the power lines, and the airplane yawed to the left. The airplane then touched down, bounced, struck a tree, and ground looped, finally coming to rest near the treeline. According to the FAA Inspector who examined the airplane. The pilot had departed Headland Municipal Airport with about 65 gallons of fuel onboard, 50 gallons in the left tank and 15 gallons in the right. According to the pilot, the airplane burns about 50 gallons of fuel an hour. Examination of the airplane found no fuel remaining in the fuel tanks nor any odor of fuel at the crash site.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CDT
Nearest AirportHeadland Municipal A/P (3nm NW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell S-2R
Tail NumberN5033X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data