# NTSB ANC91LA061: Rockwell S-2R, N4851X, Larsen Bay, AK, May 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1991, 22:45 local (May 25, 1991, 06:45 UTC)
- Place: Larsen Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 57.790904, -152.400665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7909&lon=-152.4007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5546/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA061

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE VFR INTO IMC CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW CEILING AND FOG.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED 1 MILE OFFSHORE AND SANK INTO 185 FEET OF WATER.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WEATHER WAS INDEFINITE CEILING 100 FEET OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 1 MILE, FOG.  WITNESSES STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING LOW, CLOSE TO THE WATER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4851X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4851X-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 2037R, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell S-2R
- Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2037R
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward Herzog
- Registered owner: Edward Herzog
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Destination: NONE, LARSEN BAY, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910524017099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910524017099A), May 24, 1991: Ayres S2RNORMAL, Larsen Bay, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Found wreckage of missing aircraft in 185 feet deep water offshore in bay. Near zero impact. Unable to recover.

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.

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