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July 27, 2017 · Rockwell International S 2R Undesignat · N4886X

Mcrae, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mcrae, GA
Aircraft
Rockwell International S 2R Undesignat (1974)
Tail Number
N4886X
Operator
Middle Georgia Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA17CA459

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during an agricultural application flight and after he had completed two spray passes, he received a call from his ground crew, which informed him that he did not have enough chemicals to complete the application. Because of his heavy load, the position of his load pad, and the runway slope, the pilot chose to land with a tailwind. The pilot reported that he approached with a higher-than-normal airspeed and touched down about 1,500 ft from the approach end of runway 21. As the tailwheel came down, the airplane rolled over a depression in the runway, which unloaded the weight on the landing gear, and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot was unable to regain directional control before the airplane departed the runway and went over an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 14 nautical miles northwest of the accident site reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 50° at 6 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during an aerial application flight, after he had completed two spray passes, he received a call from his ground crew, which informed him that he did not have enough chemicals to complete the aerial application. Because of his heavy load, the position of his load pad, and the slope in the runway, the pilot chose to land with a tail wind. The pilot reported that he approached with a higher than normal airspeed and touched down about 1,500 ft from the approach end of runway 21. As the tailwheel came down, the airplane rolled over a depression in the runway, which unloaded the weight on the landing gear, and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot was unable to regain directional control before the airplane departed the runway and over an embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 14 nautical miles northwest of the accident site reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 50° at 6 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest AirportTelfair-Wheeler (0nm SSW)
Runway21
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell International S 2R Undesignat
Tail NumberN4886X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMiddle Georgia Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsWalter · M601E-11 · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data