# NTSB DFW05CA189: Rockwell International S-2R, N4946X, Hamlin, TX, July 23, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2005, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Hamlin, TX - Coordinates: 32.849998, -100.137779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8500&lon=-100.1378&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 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA189 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application - miscellaneous,seal/boot/gasket - failure (cause) - fluid,oil - leak - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - window - blocked(partial) - visual/aural detection - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis While on an aerial application of fertilizer on a field, the pilot noticed that the engine temperature was high and engine oil was covering the windscreen. The 700-hour pilot initiated a precautionary landing to a nearby field with limited forward visibility. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a berm and the right main landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed the oil was leaking from a seal at the base of one propeller blade at the propeller hub attach point. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 2005, approximately 0900 central daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Rockwell International S-2R agricultural single-engine airplane, N4946X, registered to and operated by Tri County Sprayers, Inc., of Hamlin, Texas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while maneuvering during an aerial application flight near Hamlin, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Hamlin Municipal Airport, near Hamlin, Texas, at an unknown time. According to an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the 700-hour pilot was performing an aerial application of fertilizer on a field when he noticed that the engine temperature was high and engine oil on the coating the windscreen. The pilot initiated a precautionary landing to a nearby field with "limited forward visibility." During the landing roll, the airplane struck a berm and the right main landing gear collapsed before the airplane came to rest in the upright position. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the right main landing gear was separated from the fuselage and the firewall was bent. Examination of the propeller assembly revealed that the oil leak originated from a seal at the base of a propeller blade at the propeller hub attaching point. Oil was also observed on the windscreen and within the engine compressor inlet. ## 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 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331-1 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Tri COunty Sprayers Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 14F, Hamlin, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 700 total, 240 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050723015419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050723015419A), Jul 23, 2005: Ayres S2R, Roby, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 23, 2005, at approximately 0900 CDT, the pilot of an Ayres thrush S-2R aircraft lost power during an aerial spraying application and subsequently… ## 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 CEN13LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA323), Jun 1, 2013: Rockwell International S-2R (N4946X), Hamlin, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to land the airplane with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities. - [NTSB FTW78FQG48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FQG48), Aug 21, 1978: Snow S-2R (N4946X), Plainview, TX, substantial damage 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.