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June 11, 2005 · Rockwell International S-2R · N8856Q

Watson, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Watson, AR
Aircraft
Rockwell International S-2R
Tail Number
N8856Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW05CA166

The 8,170-hour pilot reported that while performing aerial application of fertilizer on a field, the engine lost power. As the pilot initiated a forced landing to the cotton field he was spraying, the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that approximately two inches of fuel was in the right wing fuel tank. Prior to recovery of the airplane, a salvage team removed 20 gallons of fuel from the right wing fuel tank. Examination of the radial engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall.

Full Narrative

On June 11, 2005, approximately 0900 central daylight time, a single-engine Rockwell International S-2R agricultural airplane, N8856Q, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while performing an aerial application near Watson, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Watson, Arkansas, at an unknown time. The 8,170-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while on his second pass applying an aerial application of fertilizer on a field, the engine began to lose power. The pilot stated that he "began to dump my [the] load of 1,800 pounds of fertilizer" and attempted to line the airplane up with cotton rows. The pilot further stated that he was unable to line up on the cotton rows and that the airplane "started to stall" when he began to dump the fertilizer load. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and skidded across the cotton rows to a stop in an upright position in a slightly right wing low attitude. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left and right wing spars were bent at the wing root and both main landing gears were folded upwards. The FAA inspector stated that when the fuel tanks were checked using a wooden dipstick, the left wing fuel tank was empty and the right wing fuel tank contained about two inches of fuel. During recovery of the airplane, the salvage company reported that 20 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tank prior to transport. Examination of the Pratt & Whitney R1340 series radial engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell International S-2R
Tail NumberN8856Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data