# NTSB CEN13LA484: Rockwell International S-2R, N5610X, Larchwood, IA, August 12, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2013, 13:22 local (18:22 UTC) - Place: Larchwood, IA - Coordinates: 43.401943, -96.409446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4019&lon=-96.4094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Des Moines Flight Standards, Honeywell Aerospace - NTSB case key (mKey): 87762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA484 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87762/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87762 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA484 ## Probable cause A complete loss of engine power during an agricultural application flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: 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) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 a complete loss of engine power occurred during his third agricultural application flight of the day. His attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful, and he subsequently executed a forced landing to a gravel road. The airplane's left wing struck a powerline support pole during the landing, and the airplane came to rest in a ditch. Fuel was found onboard the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies consistent with a loss of engine power. Additionally, an engine test run was conducted, and the engine performed normally during the test run, and no anomalies were observed. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2013, about 1322 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R airplane, N5610X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Larchwood, Iowa. The pilot reported no injuries. The airplane was registered to Mitchell Aerial Application Inc. and operated by Crop Dusters LLC 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 not operated on a flight plan. The local flight departed the Rock Rapids Municipal Airport (RRQ), Rock Rapids, Iowa, about 1200.The pilot reported that he experienced a complete loss of engine power during his third application flight of the day. He completed multiple spray passes at the first field designated for the flight, and then proceeded to the second field. The pilot stated that after spraying for about 10 minutes at the second field, the engine "flamed out." His attempts to restore engine power were not successful and he executed a forced landing to a gravel road. During the landing, he encountered a bridge, which he "crow hopped" over; however, the left wing subsequently struck a power line support pole. The airplane came to rest in a ditch along the side of the road. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a loss of engine power. After recovery, an examination of the airplane was conducted under the direct supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge. The airplane wings had been removed prior to the examination in order to facilitate the recovery. Continuity was confirmed between the engine and the cockpit engine controls. The cockpit fuel shutoff control was in the ON position at the time of the exam. The fuel lines from the wing roots to the engine appeared intact. The electrical fuel pump operated when power was applied, and residual fuel from the lines was observed to flow from the pump during operation. The insulation on the fuel shutoff valve wire harness was observed to be compromised at one location on the wire corresponding to pin A of the connector. Pin A was associated with opening the valve during engine starts. In the event of a short at Pin A, or a loss of electrical power to the valve, the valve is designed to remain open once the engine is operating. An electrical short (grounding) at Pin A would be expected to prevent starting of the engine; however, continued fuel flow to the engine would not be affected. Closing the valve required a separate electrical signal through Pin B to energize a separate solenoid and, thereby, closing the valve. Further examination of the engine was conducted at the engine manufacturer's facility under the direct supervision of the NTSB investigator-in-charge. Visual and borescope examinations were unremarkable. An engine test run was conducted. The engine started normally and stabilized at ground idle. The engine was operated at 2,005 rpmand 673 shaft horsepower with no anomalies observed. Exhaust gas and vibration parameters remained within limits during the test run. No anomalies related to an inability to produced rated power were observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5610X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5610X), registered now, S/N 5098R, built 1977 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5098R - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 10852 - Engines: Honeywell TPE331-1-151G 665 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Crop Dusters LLC - Registered owner: Mitchell Aerial Application Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 2013, 311 hours before - Departed: RRQ, Rock Rapids, IA - Destination: RRQ, Rock Rapids, IA - Airport: RRQ, Rock Rapids Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 2,637 total, 317 in this make and model, 2,505 as pilot in command, 167 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: FSD, 16 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 20130812017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130812017949A), Aug 12, 2013: Rockwell International S-2R, Larchwood, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot struck a wire during aerial application. Approximately 10 minutes later pilot reported engine failure and made emergency landing on a gravel road. During… ## Other investigations on N5610X (1) 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 SEA82DA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA110), Jul 13, 1982: Rockwell Int'T S2R (N5610X), Adrian, OR, substantial damage ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87762. 16.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 549 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415831&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record – Pilot’s Son (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Pilot%E2%80%99s%20Son-Master.PDF - Airframe Maintenance Logbook -- Excerpts (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20Maintenance%20Logbook%20--%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Engine Maintenance Logbook -- Excerpts (item 4, .PDF, 7.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Maintenance%20Logbook%20--%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 5, .PDF, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Engine Examination Report (item 6, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Plot of Engine Test Cell Data (item 7, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Plot%20of%20Engine%20Test%20Cell%20Data-Master.PDF - Tabular Engine Test Cell Data (item 8, .XLS, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415840&FileExtension=.xls&FileName=Tabular%20Engine%20Test%20Cell%20Data-Master.xls - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 9, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415841&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.