# NTSB ATL86LA230: Rockwell S-2R, N5042X, Shellman, GA, August 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1986, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Shellman, GA
- Location: 31.7571° N, 84.6159° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shellman, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7571&lon=-84.6159&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PLT NOTED SMOKE AND ATTRIBUTED IT TO AN OVERHAULED PROP WHICH HAD JUST BEEN INSTALLED. HE THEN HEARD A LOUD SQUEAL FROM THE ENG AND NOTED A LOSS OF POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A ROUGH CORN FIELD, WHERE THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN IMPELLER DRIVE SHAFT BEARING SUPPORT HAD FAILED, CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5042X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5042X-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 5072R, built 1975 (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: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5072R
- Airframe hours: 4173
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Dixie Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1986, 282 hours before
- Airport: Pvt Airstrip, runway 9, 2,400 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,418 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 4,258 as pilot in command, 285 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 20 nm away

## 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 19860827042569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860827042569A), Aug 27, 1986: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Shellman, GA, Substantial damage. Smoke from engine on takeoff. Engine failed and aircraft landed in a cornfield. Supercharger bearing had failed.

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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