# Accident 20120417005569A: Rockwell International S-2R, Palouse, WA, April 17, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 17, 2012, 17:30 local time
- Place: Palouse, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: G5MG
- Location: 46.9100° N, 117.0753° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9100&lon=-117.0753&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4971X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4971X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Rockwell International S-2R (registry code 7630202, https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Wright R-1820 series (registry code 67020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1820-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R
- Reported engine: WRIGHT R-1820 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 630 total, 5 in this make and model, 79 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR12CA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA172) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120417005569A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS CONDUCTING DRY FERTILIZER AERIAL APPLICATION.  HE HAD FLOWN A COUPLE OF RUNS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.  AT THE TURN AROUND FOR THIS FLIGHT THE PILOT KNEW HE NEEDED GAS.  HE GOT SIDE-TRACKED WITH A TELEPHONE CALL AND FORGOT ABOUT THE NEED FOR GAS.  RIGHT AFTER TAKE-OFF HE LOOKED AT FUEL GAGES AND STATED THAT THEY READ JUST UNDER 1/4 TANK.  HE DECIDED TO MAKE TWO PASSES OVER THE FIELD TO DROP FERTILIZER AND LIGHTEN THE WEIGHT ON THE AIRCRAFT.  ENROUTE BACK TO THE FIELD THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF GAS.  THE PILOT DUMPED THE REMAINING LOAD AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A WET PLOWED FIELD.  AS THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED DOWN THE MAIN WHEELS DUG INTO THE MUD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER ON ITS NOSE AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## 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 WPR12CA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA172), Apr 17, 2012: Rockwell International S-2R (N4971X), Palouse, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction and subsequent failure to have…

## Other reports on N4971X (1)

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

- [Incident 20170810024279I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170810024279I), Aug 10, 2017: Rockwell International S-2R (N4971X), Salem, IN, Minor damage. On August 10, 2017 at approximately 1600HRS local time a Rockwell International, model S2R, N4971X, lost directional control after landing on runway 10 at…

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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