# NTSB CEN10LA404: Rockwell International S-2R, N4992X, Deshler, OH, July 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2010, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Deshler, OH - Coordinates: 41.2075, -83.901107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2075&lon=-83.9011&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-CLE-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA404 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76654/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76654 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA404 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine lost power during the middle of a spray run when he was just above the height of the corn crop. He turned the airplane away from the town and power lines before it contacted small trees and a ditch during the forced landing in a bean field. Both wings were substantially damaged. A teardown of the engine and a functional check of the fuel control unit, high pressure fuel pump, and the propeller governor failed to reveal any failures that would have prevented the engine from producing power. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2010, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N4992X, collided with trees and a ditch during an off-airport forced landing following a loss of engine power during an aerial application flight. The airline transport pilot was not injured. Both wings of the airplane received substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to Bob Ruhe Ag Service, Inc., and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Leipsic, Ohio, at 1900. The pilot reported the engine lost power during the middle of a spray run when he was just above the height of the corn crop. He stated he turned the airplane away from the town and power lines. The airplane contacted small trees and a ditch during the forced landing in a bean field. An on-scene examination of the engine, a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34, revealed the power section was seized due to impact damage to the exhaust duct. The gas generator and accessory drives rotated freely by hand. All of the external lines, filters, and screens were normal. The power turbine and power turbine shroud contained light rotational rubbing. The reduction gearbox rotated smoothly by hand. Further inspection of the engine revealed rotational signatures to the power turbine blade tips and shroud. A teardown of the engine and a functional check of the fuel control unit, high pressure fuel pump, and the propeller governor failed to reveal any failures/malfunctions that would have prevented the engine from producing power. A detailed examination report is contained in the public docket for this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4992X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4992X), registered now, S/N 5037R, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 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: 5037R - Airframe hours: 7500 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney C7BA SERIES 750 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bob Ruhe Ag Service Inc - Registered owner: Bob Ruhe Ag Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 20, 2010, 81 hours before - Departed: R47, Leipsic, OH - Destination: R47, Leipsic, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2008; seat: center; flight hours: 11,000 total, 450 in this make and model, 8,900 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: FDY, 18 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 20100709043619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100709043619A), Jul 9, 2010: Rockwell In S-2R, Deshler, OH, Substantial damage. During aerial application process the a/c engine experienced an uncommanded return from full power to minimum fuel flow power. PIC attempted to cycle power… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76654. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Engine Examination Summary (item 2, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Summary-Master.PDF 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.