# NTSB CEN13LA323: Rockwell International S-2R, N4946X, Hamlin, TX, June 1, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2013, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Hamlin, TX - Coordinates: 32.849445, -100.13639 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8494&lon=-100.1364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 10, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 87109 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87109/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87109 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA323 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land the airplane with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing, the airplane encountered a strong, gusting right crosswind. The pilot attempted to perform a go-around; however, the airplane ground-looped. The prevailing wind resulted in a right quartering tailwind with a gusting crosswind component of 23 knots. The maximum crosswind velocity for the accident airplane was 15 miles per hour; therefore, the calculated crosswind component exceeded the capability of the airplane. The pilot should not have landed with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2013, about 1030 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R airplane, N4946X, impacted terrain while landing at the Hamlin Municipal Airport (14F), Hamlin, Texas. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Tri-County Sprayers, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from 14F at 0925. According to the pilot, during the landing to runway 34 (3,200 feet by 50 feet, asphalt), the airplane encountered a "strong and gusty" crosswind from the right. The pilot attempted to perform a go around; however, the airplane groundlooped resulting in substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the firewall. The pilot reported that the wind was 090 degrees at 23 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The closest official weather station, located 28 miles to the southwest of 14F, recorded the wind as 100 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The maximum crosswind was calculated to be 23 knots based upon the reported winds from the pilot. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4946X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4946X-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 5007R, 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: 5007R - Airframe hours: 11956 - Engines: Honeywell TPE-331-1-101 600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tri County Sprayers Inc - Registered owner: Tri County Sprayers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 2013 - Departed: 14F, Hamlin, TX - Destination: 14F, Hamlin, TX - Airport: 14F, Hamlin Municipal Airport, runway 34, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 3, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 738 total, 318 in this make and model, 725 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 23 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: SWW, 28 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 20130601009069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130601009069A), Jun 1, 2013: Rockwell International S-2R, Hamlin, TX, Substantial damage. On June 1, 2013 at 1030AM CST, N4946X, a Rockwell, ayres-thrush S-2, serial number 5007R, aircraft registered to tri county sprayers, inc. (T7CG), was landing… ## Other investigations on N4946X (2) 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 DFW05CA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA189), Jul 23, 2005: Rockwell International S-2R (N4946X), Hamlin, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the propeller blade seal resulting in an oil leak. Contributing factors were the limited forward visibility and lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing. - [NTSB FTW78FQG48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FQG48), Aug 21, 1978: Snow S-2R (N4946X), Plainview, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87109. 310 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.