# NTSB CHI02LA133: Rockwell S-2R, N4224X, Bancroft, WI, May 10, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 2002, 18:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Bancroft, WI - Coordinates: 44.309391, -89.510543 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3094&lon=-89.5105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Milwaukee, Wisconsin-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54717/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54717 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA133 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to contamination of the fuel system from an unknown source and the blocked fuel filter. The rough terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - fuel system,tank - contamination,other than water (cause) - fuel system,filter - blocked(total) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane nosed over during a forced landing due to a loss of engine power. The pilot stated he sumped the fuel tanks before the flight. Subsequent to the accident, sediment contamination from an unknown source was found in the main fuel tank and fuel filter. No other anomalies were found with respect to the airframe, engine or systems that could be identified as existing prior to impact. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 2002, about 1850 central daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R, N4224X, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a nose over during a forced landing after a loss of engine power near Bancroft, Wisconsin. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated at 1820. The pilot reported that he, "...filled the left [fuel] tank and sumped tanks immediately." The pilot was spraying at approximately 10 feet agl when the engine, "...became rough, backfired and quit." The pilot reported that he turned on the fuel boost pump and turned off the spray pump while initiating a climbing turn toward the airport. The pilot reported that the engine started producing power again. At approximately 150 feet agl the engine suffered another loss of power. The pilot stated he prepared for a forced landing. The airplane's tailwheel contacted the ground first followed by the airplane's main landing gear. The airplane then nosed over and slid to a stop inverted. Examination of the fuel system after the flight found sediment contamination in the main fuselage fuel tank. The carburetor fuel filter was also obstructed by sediment. The source of the contamination was not found. No other anomalies were found with respect to the airframe, engine or systems that could be identified as existing prior to impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4224X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4224X), registered now, S/N 1985R, built 1974 (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) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1985R - Airframe hours: 8578 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1-G 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Jps Agricair Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2002, 3.6 hours before - Departed: Bancroft, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 6, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KISW, 15 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 20020510010839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020510010839A), May 10, 2002: Ayres S2R, Bancroft, WI, No damage. (-23) During spraying operation engine backfired and started running rough, pilot turned on boost pump and engine smoothed out. Within a minute engine started… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54717. 291 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436526&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.