# NTSB CEN26LA221: Rockwell International S-2R, N4990X, Gause, TX, May 20, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 20, 2026, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Gause, TX - Coordinates: 30.77806, -96.78465 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7781&lon=-96.7846&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 17, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203151 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203151/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203151 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA221 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the separated wing fuel tank screen and sealant debris in the fuel tank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/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: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); 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) - [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 While returning to the departure airfield after completing an aerial application, the engine lost power and the pilot conducted a forced landing to a field due to insufficient altitude to attempt an engine restart. During the forced landing, the airplane struck trees resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane by company personnel revealed that the right-wing fuel screen was not attached and fuel tank sealant debris obstructed the fuel tank outlet port. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by ensuring that all fuel screens are in place each season and removing any loose fuel tank sealant. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4990X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4990X), registered now, S/N 5035R, 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: 5035R - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 9844 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2026 - Departed: PVT, Bryan, TX - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2026; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 24,106 total, 8,242 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KLHB, 10 nm away - METAR: KLHB 201635Z AUTO 07004KT 10SM CLR 24/20 A3004 RMK AO2,M ## 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 20260520009079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260520009079A), May 20, 2026: Rockwell International S-2R, Gause, TX, Substantial damage. On 05/20/2026, aircraft [privacy data omitted] arrived at a scheduled fungicide application site. The aircraft sprayed 140 acres with no issues with the… ## Other investigations on N4990X (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 SEA76DYA44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYA44), Aug 2, 1976: Aero Comdr 600S2R (N4990X), Rexburg, ID, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203151. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20808766&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20809545&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 739 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20809278&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N4990X%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.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.