# NTSB FTW94LA238: Rockwell S-2R, N4903X, Winchester, AR, July 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1994, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Winchester, AR
- Coordinates: 33.769824, -91.470687 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7698&lon=-91.4707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA238

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKING. 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(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THE AERIAL APPLICATION PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO A FIELD FOR AERIAL APPLICATION OF DRY FERTILIZER WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER, AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING TO A WET FIELD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DAMAGING THE RIGHT WING. ACCORDING TO A FAA INSPECTOR THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER HEAD WAS CRACKED.

## Factual narrative

On July 15, 1994, at 0800 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N4903X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Winchester, Arkansas.  The airline transport rated pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

The pilot reported he was en route to a field for aerial application of dry fertilizer when he experienced a loss of engine power due to what he thought was a loss of a cylinder.  He initiated an emergency landing to a cotton field.  The field was muddy and upon landing the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted damaging the right wing.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the number one cylinder head was cracked on the exhaust side.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4903X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4903X-2025-10-29), registration cancelled 2025-10-29, S/N 2093R, 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: 2093R
- Airframe hours: 7190
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: M.S. And T. Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1994, 459 hours before
- Departed: NONE, TILLAR, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 10,450 total, 1,450 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 34 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 19940715018539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940715018539A), Jul 15, 1994: Ayres S2RNORMAL, Winchester, AR, Substantial damage. En route to spray field. Engine quit. Nosed over landing. NR1 cylinder had cracked.

## Other investigations on N4903X (2)

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 FTW83LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA358), Aug 1, 1983: Rockwell S2R (N4903X), Eudora, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW76DPH01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76DPH01), Aug 19, 1976: Aero Comdr 600S2R (N4903X), Eudora, AR, substantial 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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