# NTSB FTW00LA186: Rockwell S-2R, N4917X, Hondo, TX, June 27, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2000, 09:32 local (14:32 UTC) - Place: Hondo, TX - Coordinates: 29.349617, -99.149826 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3496&lon=-99.1498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49549 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49549/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA186 ## Probable cause The fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 317-hour private pilot reported that the engine lost power while he was practicing aerial application maneuvers over open fields 10 miles northwest of the airport. The pilot added that after the engine lost power, he attempted to land on a hard packed dirt road; however, he landed short of the road on a freshly plowed field. The airplane nosed over after the main wheels sank into the soft ground during the landing roll. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position. The pilot reported that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2000, at 0932 central daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R tailwheel equipped agricultural airplane, N4917X, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a forced landing in a soft field near Hondo, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Rusty's Flying Service of Hondo, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, for which a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from the Hondo Municipal Airport (HDO) at 0857. The 317-hour private pilot reported that the engine lost power while he was practicing aerial application maneuvers over open fields 10 miles northwest of the airport. The pilot added that after the engine lost power, he attempted to land on a hard packed dirt road; however, he landed short of the road on a freshly plowed field. The airplane nosed over after the main wheels sank into the soft ground during the landing roll. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position. Examination of the wreckage, by the FAA inspector, revealed that the vertical stabilizer and the rudder assembly sustained structural damage. Additionally, the top of the canopy and the left wing tip were also damaged. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4917X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4917X-2004-08-09), registration cancelled 2004-08-09, S/N 2110R, 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: 2110R - Airframe hours: 7156 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rusty Lindeman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 20, 2000, 26 hours before - Departed: HDO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 317 total, 20 in this make and model, 157 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20000627010829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000627010829A), Jun 27, 2000: Ayres S2R, Hondo, TX, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated he departed Hondo Municipal Airport for aerial application practice flight over a corn filed approx. 9 miles north west. The pilot indicated… 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.