# NTSB FTW01LA156: Rockwell International S-2R, N4888X, Sabinal, TX, June 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 2001, 06:35 local (11:35 UTC) - Place: Sabinal, TX - Coordinates: 29.349891, -99.150276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3499&lon=-99.1503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 27, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52582 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52582/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA156 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to a crack in the #9 cylinder, which result in the failure of the connecting rod during the aerial application flight. A contributing 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) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis While maneuvering after completing a spray pass, the pilot heard a "loud pop," and the agricultural airplane's engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a clearing in a field. During the forced landing, the airplane touched down and bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The operator stated that an examination of the engine revealed that #9 cylinder had cracked, and subsequently, a connecting rod failed. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2001, at 0635 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R agricultural airplane, N4888X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Sabinal, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual doing business as Rusty's Flying Service of Hondo, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from the Hondo Municipal Airport, near Hondo, Texas, at 0610. While maneuvering after completing a spray pass, the pilot heard a "loud pop," and the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a clearing in a field. During the forced landing, the airplane touched down and bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. According to the operator, the airplane's canopy and roll cage were crushed, the vertical stabilizer separated, and the wing's leading edges sustained substantial damage. The operator stated that an examination of the engine revealed that #9 cylinder had cracked, and subsequently, a connecting rod failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4888X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4888X-2004-11-05), registration cancelled 2004-11-05, S/N 2072R, built 1974 (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: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2072R - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Lindeman, Rusty - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 27, 2000 - Departed: HDO, Hondo, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 12, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 1,475 total, 824 in this make and model, 1,420 as pilot in command, 362 in the last 90 days, 167 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: HDO ## 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 20010628014439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010628014439A), Jun 28, 2001: Ayres S2R, Sabinal, TX, Substantial damage. (.19)On June 28, 2001, at 0700 central daylight time, a rockwell international S-2R airplane, N4888X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a… 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.