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May 23, 2012 · Rockwell International S-2R · N8421V

Howard, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Howard, SD
Aircraft
Rockwell International S-2R
Tail Number
N8421V
Operator
East River Air Spray
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA357

The engine had recently been installed under a supplemental type certificate and had accrued 2 hours flight time before the accident. The pilot said that he took off on the test flight and adjusted the throttle and propeller control for climb. He noticed low oil pressure and a loss of propeller pitch control. In his attempt to return to the airport, the airplane started to settle and lose altitude. He made a forced landing in a rough pasture. The right wing struck terrain, which damaged the spar, and the airplane nosed down. Postaccident examination revealed a fractured aluminum line where it attached to the propeller governor, resulting in a loss of oil and oil pressure. Only two quarts of oil remained in the crankcase. The fractured line had been fabricated during the engine installation. Maintenance personnel said they should have installed more Adel clamps to secure the line and minimize vibrations.

NTSB Probable Cause

A fractured fabricated aluminum oil line, which resulted in oil exhaustion followed by a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On May 23, 2012, about 1045 mountain daylight time, the pilot of a Rockwell International S-2R, N8421V, made a forced landing in a pasture about 1.5 miles southwest of Howard (K8D9) Municipal Airport, Howard, South Dakota. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by East River Air Spray, LLC, Volga, South Dakota, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a test flight. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated about 1040. The engine had recently been installed under STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) SA01980CH, and had accrued 2 hours flight time prior to the accident. According to the pilot's statement and accident report, he took off on the test flight and when he adjusted the throttle and propeller control for climb, he noticed low (40 psi, pounds per square inch) oil pressure and a corresponding loss of propeller pitch control. He decided to return to the airport but the airplane started to settle and lose altitude. He barely cleared a power line and fence and made a forced landing in a rough pasture. The right wing struck terrain, damaging the spar, and the airplane nosed down. Postaccident examination revealed a fractured aluminum line where it attaches to the propeller governor. This resulted in a loss of oil and oil pressure. Only 2 quarts of oil remained in the crankcase. The fractured line had been fabricated during the engine installation, and FAA Form 337, dated April 25, 2012, had been filed. Maintenance personnel told FAA inspectors they should have installed more Adel clamps to secure the line and minimize vibrations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 CDT
Nearest AirportHoward Municipal (2nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell International S-2R
Tail NumberN8421V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEast River Air Spray
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-59 · Reciprocating · 900
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 4 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.23 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data