# NTSB FTW04LA158: Rockwell International S-2R, N4968X, Needville, TX, June 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 2004, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Needville, TX - Coordinates: 29.321111, -96.01889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3211&lon=-96.0189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59420/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA158 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight fire for undetermined reasons. ## 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) - Fire, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The 26,400-hour pilot reported that while maneuvering at an altitude of 110 feet above ground level while performing an aerial application on a field, the engine "blew," and he noticed that "the propellers did not feather." The pilot stated that during the forced landing, an in-flight fire ensued. After landing in an open field, the pilot evacuated the airplane and noted that the airplane was still on fire. Examination of the remaining portion of the engine revealed that the first and second stage turbine wheel, first and third stage stator, and the stator liner and assembly were fire damaged. No anomalies were observed during the examination. The reason for the loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight fire was undetermined. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 2004, approximately 0830 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, single-engine, tailwheel-equipped, agricultural airplane, N4968X, registered to and operated by Farm & Ranch Aerial Service, Inc., of Wharton, Texas, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight engine fire while maneuvering near Needville, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. 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 departed from a private grass airstrip located near Eagle Lake, Texas, approximately 0753. The 26,400-hour pilot reported that while maneuvering at an altitude of 110 feet above ground level while performing an aerial application on a field, the engine "blew," and he noticed that "the propellers did not feather." The pilot stated that during the forced landing, an in-flight fire ensued. After landing in an open field, the pilot evacuated the airplane and noted that the airplane was still on fire. The local volunteer fire department arrived to the accident site approximately 10 minutes later and extinguished the fire. Examination of the wreckage by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the right wing spar was bent and the engine firewall was fire damaged. Continuity was established from the propeller hub to the turbine shaft joint. A review of the aircraft logbooks revealed that that airframe and engine underwent its most recent 100-hour inspections on May 2, 2004. At the time of the inspection, the engine had accumulated 3,472.7 hours since overhaul. The airframe had accumulated a total of 12,024 hours of flight time. The automated surface observing station at the Bay City Municipal Airport (BYY), located 23 nautical miles south from the accident site, at 0825 reported wind from 140 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 7 statute miles, clouds scattered at 2,200 feet, temperature 26 degrees Celsius, dew point 22 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.93 inches of Mercury. On December 9, 2004, at the facilities of Honeywell Product Integrity Teardown Facility, near Phoenix, Arizona, the remaining components of the TPE331-1-151K turboprop engine were examined under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The first and second stage turbine wheel, first and third stage stator, and the stator liner and assembly displayed fire damage. No anomalies were observed during the examination. The reason for the loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight fire was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4968X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4968X-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 5013R, 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: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5013R - Airframe hours: 12024 - Engines: Garrett-AiResearch TPE-331-1-151 665 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Farm & Ranch Aerial Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 2004 - Departed: NONE, Eagle Lake, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 17, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 26,400 total, 5,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 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 20040610015179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040610015179A), Jun 10, 2004: Ayres S2R, Needville, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 10, 2004, at 0830 local a rockwell international S-2R thrush serial number 5013R registered as N4968X crashed in a field near Needville, Texas.… ## Other investigations on N4968X (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 MKC89LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA081), Mar 17, 1989: Rockwell S2R T34 (N4968X), Heth, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND DUE TO LANDING IN A TAILWIND OF EXCESSIVE VELOCITY WHICH THE PILOT MISJUDGED OR FAILED TO RECOGNIZE. 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.