# NTSB FTW93LA220: Rockwell S-2R, N8842Q, Elaine, AR, July 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1993, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Elaine, AR
- Coordinates: 34.299209, -90.849563 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2992&lon=-90.8496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA220

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE OF WATER SPRAYING AND THE RESULTANT POWER LOSS.  A FACTOR WAS UNSUITABLE 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant - foreign object (cause)
  - powerplant - water
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB, THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE THROUGH A PIVOTING WATER  IRRIGATION SYSTEM. WATER INGESTION CAUSED THE TURBINE ENGINE TO FLAME OUT. DURING THE FORCED  LANDING, THE AIRPLANE LANDED ACROSS THE COTTON FURROWS IN THE WET FIELD. AN EXAMINATION OF THE  ENGINE REVEALED WATER INGESTION DAMAGE.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 1993, at 0715 central daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R, N8842Q, sustained substantial damage near Elaine, Arkansas,       during a forced landing.  The commercial pilot was not injured.   Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial   application flight.

The pilot reported to the Safety Board that following takeoff the airplane passed through water from a pivoting irrigation system   at the end of the airport.  He further stated that the water      ingestion into the turbine engine caused the engine to flame out. During the forced landing to the wet field and cross furrows,     the landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop.

According to an enclosed repair facility report, engine damage    was "typical of water ingestion and thermal damage."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8842Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8842Q-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N 2339R, built 1977 (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: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2339R
- Airframe hours: 4139
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-1-101Z 665 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Riddell Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 17, 1993, 80 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 11,800 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 40 nm away

## 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 19930730027191A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930730027191A), Jul 30, 1993: Ayres S2R, Elaine, AR, Substantial damage. Passed thru irrigation rig spray on takeoff. Caused flame out. Collapsed gear landing cross furrow. Engine 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.

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