# NTSB FTW94LA271: Rockwell S-2R, N4890X, Clint, TX, August 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1994, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Clint, TX - Coordinates: 31.589784, -106.219291 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5898&lon=-106.2193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19142 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19142/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA271 ## Probable cause THE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. 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, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - vehicle - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AERIAL APPLICATION PILOT WAS MAKING A SWATH RUN, AND WAS MANEUVERING TO SEE IF THE FIELD NEEDED MORE SPRAYING WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A CANAL GATE, SEPARATING IT FROM THE FUSELAGE CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRIKE A PICKUP TRUCK. NO ANOMALIES WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE AND THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1994, at 1610 mountain daylight time, a Thrush S-2R, N4890X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Clint, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he had completed a swath run, and was maneuvering to see if the field needed more spraying when the engine lost power. While landing on highway 80 the pilot had to lift the left wing to avoid striking a vehicle. During the landing roll the right main landing gear struck a canal gate, separating it from the fuselage causing structural damage. The airplane came to rest in a shallow ditch with one propeller blade bent and the left wing tip damaged. According to a local official, a witness reported the right main landing gear struck a pickup truck. The pickup truck's roof was torn off, and one of the its four passengers received minor injuries. An examination of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed no mechanical anomalies that could have caused the loss of power. ## 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: 4961 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: T And T Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1994, 55 hours before - Departed: NONE, FABENS, TX - Destination: NONE, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 16,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 15,850 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 11 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ELP, 15 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 19940804020149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940804020149A), Aug 4, 1994: Ayres S2RRESTD, Clint, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power maneuvering from spray run. Wing tore off pickup roof landing on a road. Came to rest in a ditch. ## 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 FTW01LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA184), Aug 17, 2001: Rockwell S-2R (N4890X), Fabens, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight resulting in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the power line. 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.