# NTSB FTW96LA135: Rockwell S-2R, N431BL, Winchester, AR, February 27, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 1996, 07:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Winchester, AR - Coordinates: 33.710849, -91.450408 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7108&lon=-91.4504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19774 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19774/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA135 ## Probable cause Failure of the engine master rod. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing, due to the proximity of a power line and trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,master rod - failure (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - penetrated - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - wire,transmission - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The purpose of the agricultural airplane's flight was to 'rinse and clean the airplane and sprayer system with water.' The pilot reported that, after he 'rinsed' the aircraft, and 'pulled' up from a crosswind swath run, 'the engine stopped, causing [the] propeller to stop.' During the ensuing forced landing, the pilot 'had to go under a power line' to land the airplane in a field. During the landing, the right wing struck a tree and partially separated from the fuselage. Examination of the engine revealed a 'broken' master rod and a hole in the #5 cylinder. Maintenance records did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected defects that would have contributed to the failure. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 1996, approximately 0720 central standard time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N431BL, registered to, and operated by MS&T Flying Service under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, near Winchester, Arkansas. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed from a private agricultural airstrip about 5 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, the flight was intended to "rinse and clean the airplane and spray system with water." He reported that, after he "rinsed" the aircraft and "pulled" up from a swath run, "the engine stopped, causing [the] propeller to stop." During the ensuing forced landing, the pilot "had to go under a power line" to land the airplane in a field. Upon landing, the airplane "came to [a] complete stop after hitting [a] tree with the right wing. The right wing was found partially separated from the fuselage and was structurally damaged. Examination of the engine by a FAA inspector and the operator's mechanic, revealed a "broken" master rod and a "hole" in the #5 cylinder. A review of the maintenance records by the FAA inspector, did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected defects that would have contributed to the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N431BL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N431BL), registered now, S/N 2209R, built 1976 (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: 2209R - Airframe hours: 4166 - Engines: WSK PZL-35 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ms&T Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 1996, 19 hours before - Departed: NONE, TILLAR, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,663 total, 3,085 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19960227002769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960227002769A), Feb 27, 1996: Ayres S2R, Winchester, AR, Substantial damage. Engine quit, made an emergency landing in a field short of runway. (-23) master rod failed at no. 5 cylinder. Pilot made an emergency landing which was… 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.