# Accident 20190328002089A: Rockwell International S-2R, Hermiston, OR, March 28, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 28, 2019, 14:53 local time
- Place: Hermiston, OR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: QKJG
- Location: 45.8200° N, 119.2808° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8200&lon=-119.2808&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4250X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4250X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Rockwell International S-2R (registry code 7630202, https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340 series (registry code 52016, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R
- Reported engine: GE AVIATION M601E-11
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 12,744 total, 11,749 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA19CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA185) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190328002089A

## Narrative

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

ON THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019, A ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R, REGISTERED AS N4250X, WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT APPROX. ¾ OF A MILE WEST OF RUNWAY 4 AT HERMISTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (KHRI) IN HERMISTON, OREGON.  THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^

THE PILOT EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS RETURNING FROM A PART 137 AERIAL APPLICATION AND WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 4 AT KHRI.  DURING HIS RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, HE STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE AIRCRAFT?S SPRAY SYSTEM, SPECIFICALLY A STUCK OPEN SPRAY VALVE.  THE PILOT EXPLAINED HE HAD INPUTTED NOSE DOWN TRIM TO DESCEND AND WAS CONTROLLING THE FLAPS WITH HIS LEFT HAND WHILE HIS RIGHT HAND WAS ON THE AIRCRAFT?S CONTROL STICK.  ON APPROACH, HE FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT HE TOOK HIS RIGHT HAND OFF THE CONTROL STICK TO CLOSE THE SPRAY HANDLE.  AT THAT MOMENT, THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED DOWN AND ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT.  THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS ABLE TO PITCH THE AIRCRAFT TO A NOSE UP ATTITUDE BUT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO ARREST THE DESCENT.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN AGRICULTURAL CENTER PIVOT AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD.

PRELIMINARY WEATHER REPORT FROM KHRI INDICATES THE FOLLOWING:

AT 21:53 ZULU TIME (14:53 LOCAL TIME)

METAR KHRI 282153Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/02 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP196 T01500022=

## 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 GAA19CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA185), Mar 28, 2019: Rockwell S 2R (N4250X), Hermiston, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's distraction due to a spray handle opening and his improper pitch trim setting during final approach, which resulted in an excessive pitchdown when he took his hand off the controls to…

## Other reports on N4250X (1)

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

- [Accident 20030721015849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030721015849A), Jul 21, 2003: Ayres S2R (N4250X), Hermiston, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power due to usable fuel being depleted. Aircraft landed approximately 3/4 of a mile short of the runway striking a large rock with the…

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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