# Accident 20040610015179A: Ayres S2R, Needville, TX, June 10, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 10, 2004, 10:30 local time
- Place: Needville, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: FRVG
- Location: 29.3211° N, 96.0189° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3211&lon=-96.0189&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4968X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4968X-2020-08-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Rockwell International S-2R (registry code 7630202, https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: AiResearch TPE331 series (registry code 01517, https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2R
- Reported engine: GARRTT TPE3311151A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 26,400 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW04LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA158) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040610015179A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON JUNE 10, 2004, AT 0830 LOCAL A ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R THRUSH SERIAL NUMBER 5013R REGISTERED AS N4968X CRASHED IN A FIELD NEAR NEEDVILLE, TEXAS. THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE POLICE THAT HE HAD AN ENGINE FIRE AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AS SOON AS HE COULD, THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A HORSE PASTURE CROSSED A PAVED ROAD WENT AIRBORNE, THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT THE TOP OF A TREE (APPRX. 13 FEET IN UP) LANDED AS HE ROTATED AND CAME TO REST. THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. A FIRE WAS NOTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THERE WAS AN UNCONTAINED TURBINE DISK BURST IN THE ENGINE AND FIRE. THE AIRFRAME HAD DAMAGE TO BOTH WINGS WITH SPAR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING, THE LANDING GEAR HAD COLLAPSED AND THE PROP WAS BENT SHOWING ONLY SLIGHT ROTATION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REMOVED TO THE OPERATOR'S HANGAR WITH THE ENGINE. THE AIRFRAME WAS INSPECTED AT THE OPERATOR'S FACILITY AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD NO DATA PLATE. THE ENGINE'S HOT SECTION WAS DISASSEMBLED AND CHECKED. THE 3RD STAGE TURBINE WHEEL WAS MISSING AND THE 3RD STATOR WAS DESTROYED, ONLY SMALL PIECES WERE FOUND. THE 2ND TURBINE WHEEL WAS STRIPPED AND THE DISK WAS INTACT AND THE 2ND STATOR WAS BADLY DAMAGED. THE 1ST TURBINE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AND MOST OF THE BLADES WERE WORN APPX. 1/2 OF THE LENGTH AND THE 1ST STATOR HAS SOME DAMAGE. THE BURNER CAN IN ADDITION, THE TURBINE CASE WAS DESTROYED. THE HOT SECTION COMPONENTS AND LOGS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE NTSB FOR FURTHER EVALUATION AND INSPECTION. THIS OFFICE IS TO ASSEMBLE A TEAM TO INSPECT THE OPERATOR AND DETERMINE ANY AND ALL DISCREPANCIES OF THE OPERATION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW04LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA158), Jun 10, 2004: Rockwell International S-2R (N4968X), Needville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight fire for undetermined reasons.

## Other reports on N4968X (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19990222015619I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990222015619I), Feb 22, 1999: Ayres S2RNORMAL (N4968X), Grace, MS, Minor damage. (-5) Aircraft involved in a landing incident on 22 August 1998 at 1:00 pm near Grace, MS. Right brake failed during the landing phase, (tailwheel landing) on a…
- [Accident 19890317004019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890317004019A), Mar 17, 1989: Ayres S2RT34RESTD (N4968X), Heth, AR, Substantial damage. Wind gust from rear caused aircraft to nose down on landing and resulted in prop strike and engine damage. Tailwind

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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