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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 28, 2001 · Rockwell International S-2R · N4888X

Sabinal, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 28, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Sabinal, TX
Aircraft
Rockwell International S-2R
Tail Number
N4888X
Operator
Rusty S Flying Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW01LA156

While maneuvering after completing a spray pass, the pilot heard a "loud pop," and the agricultural airplane's engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a clearing in a field. During the forced landing, the airplane touched down and bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The operator stated that an examination of the engine revealed that #9 cylinder had cracked, and subsequently, a connecting rod failed.

NTSB Probable Cause

a loss of engine power due to a crack in the #9 cylinder, which result in the failure of the connecting rod during the aerial application flight. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On June 28, 2001, at 0635 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R agricultural airplane, N4888X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Sabinal, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual doing business as Rusty's Flying Service of Hondo, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from the Hondo Municipal Airport, near Hondo, Texas, at 0610. While maneuvering after completing a spray pass, the pilot heard a "loud pop," and the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a clearing in a field. During the forced landing, the airplane touched down and bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. According to the operator, the airplane's canopy and roll cage were crushed, the vertical stabilizer separated, and the wing's leading edges sustained substantial damage. The operator stated that an examination of the engine revealed that #9 cylinder had cracked, and subsequently, a connecting rod failed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:35 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell International S-2R
Tail NumberN4888X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRusty S Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 22 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 3 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 70 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time06:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data