# NTSB FTW01LA184: Rockwell S-2R, N4890X, Fabens, TX, August 17, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 2001, 09:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Fabens, TX - Coordinates: 31.515556, -106.147224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5156&lon=-106.1472&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53053 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53053/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA184 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight resulting in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the power line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During the preflight, the pilot did not visually check the fuel level to ensure the tanks were topped by ground personnel following the previous day's flight. After spraying 175 acres, the aircraft was en route to the airport for refueling and reloading of chemical when the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. During the forced landing to a field, the tail wheel of the airplane struck a power line, and the airplane impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 2001, at 0910 mountain standard time, a Rockwell S-2R, agricultural airplane, N4890X, sustained substantial damage during the forced landing following a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Fabens, Texas. The aircraft was owned and operated by T&T Aviation, Inc., of Fabens, Texas, under Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated at 0710, from the Fabens Airport. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that on the previous afternoon, following an aerial application flight, he landed the airplane at the Fabens Airport. On the morning of the accident, the pilot arrived at the aircraft and performed a preflight inspection; however, he did not visually check the fuel level to ensure the tanks were topped from the previous day's flight. The flight departed the airport and completed the spraying of 175 acres. The aircraft was en route to the Fabens Airport for refueling and reloading of chemical when the "engine quit due to fuel starvation." During the forced landing to a field, the tail wheel of the airplane hooked the top wire of power lines and "caused the aircraft to pancake into the field, taking out the landing gear as well as snapping the top power line." Following the accident, the pilot recommended the "1.) use of calibrated fuel tank stick to positively verify amount indicated by fuel gauge, 2.) checked [fuel] by pilot each and every time, [and] 3.) do not depend on ground personnel." The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, found the engine displaced at an approximate 45 degree angle to the damaged firewall. The main landing gear and the propeller were also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4890X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4890X-2003-05-16), registration cancelled 2003-05-16, S/N 2074R, 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: 2074R - Airframe hours: 5300 - Engines: P&W 1340 AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: T&T Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: E35, Fabens, TX - Destination: E35, Fabens - Airport: E35, Fabens ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 6, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 85 in this make and model, 5,260 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg ## 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 20010817022749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010817022749A), Aug 17, 2001: Ayres S2R, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Immediately following an aerial application the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot setup for an emergency landing to a nearby field when the… ## Other investigations on N4890X (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 FTW94LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA271), Aug 4, 1994: Rockwell S-2R (N4890X), Clint, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. 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.