# NTSB ATL97LA063: Rockwell S-2R, N8473V, Lincolnton, GA, April 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1997, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Lincolnton, GA - Coordinates: 33.789527, -82.4691 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7895&lon=-82.4691&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3840 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3840/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of the fuel requirement for this flight that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - object - wire,transmission - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported that, he checked the fuel gauges before attempting the takeoff, and thought there was enough fuel to complete the spraying operation. The pilot stated that after liftoff from the private airstrip, the airplane lost engine power. The airplane collided with utility lines approximately 100 feet from the departure end of runway 27. During the examination of the airplane, no fuel was recovered from the fuel system. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1997, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R (Thrush), N8473V, collided with utility wires and the ground during an emergency landing near Lincolnton, Georgia. The aerial application flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. According to the pilot, visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed an aerial application staging field in Lincolnton, Georgia, at 1028. According to the pilot, he checked the fuel gauges before attempting the takeoff, and thought there was enough fuel to complete the spraying operation. The pilot recalled that after liftoff from the staging area, the airplane lost engine power. After the pilot selected an area for the emergency landing, the airplane collided with nearby utility lines. The airplane impacted the ground approximately 100 feet from the departure end of runway 27. During the examination of the airplane, no fuel was recovered from the fuel system. No mechanical problems were discovered, nor did the pilot report experiencing a mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8473V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8473V-1998-12-09), registration cancelled 1998-12-09, S/N 2233R (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2233R - Airframe hours: 5940 - Engines: P&W 1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: James P. Wimberly - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1997, 50 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 27, 4,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 11,000 total, 5,940 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AGS, 35 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 19970426006689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970426006689A), Apr 26, 1997: Ayres S2R, Lincoln County, GA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Fuel supply exhausted. (-23) pilot stated fuel gauge showed 1/4 tank on pre-flight. No attempt was made to verify gauge reading by… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.