# NTSB FTW96LA275: Rockwell S2R, N4907X, Las Animas, CO, June 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 1996, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Las Animas, CO - Coordinates: 38.060855, -103.220726 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0609&lon=-103.2207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19883 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19883/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA275 ## Probable cause inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind condition for takeoff, and the terrain condition beyond the end of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command - load jettison - performed - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll on runway 26, the aircraft did not attain sufficient airspeed to achieve flight. The pilot reported that the airplane did not accelerate at a continuous rate, and there was insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff. He dumped the load, but the aircraft overran the end of the runway and went up an incline bank, which launched it into the air. A stall ensued and the aircraft impacted the ground in a nose down 15 degree left wing down attitude. Wind at the time was from 010 degrees at 10 miles per hour. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 1996, at 1130 mountain daylight time, a Rockwell S2R, N4907X, exited the end of the runway during the takeoff roll at Las Animas County Airport, Las Animas, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The flight was a local area aerial application flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he was taking off from runway 26 and did not clear a ditch located at the end of the runway. Density altitude at the time was 6,500 feet and the wind was reported by the pilot to be from 010 degrees magnetic at 10 miles per hour. The pilot said that airspeed was not building at a "continuous rate" and he had insufficient runway available to abort the takeoff. He said he dumped the load (24D herbicide) and the aircraft exited the end of the runway up an inclined ditch bank which "launched" the aircraft into the air. The aircraft stalled left wing down and impacted the ground in a nose down 15 degree left bank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4907X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4907X-2021-10-02), registration cancelled 2021-10-02, S/N 2099R, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell S2R - 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: 2099R - Airframe hours: 8000 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Air Care, Inc., doing business as Maverick Aviation - Registered owner: Daniel J. Tinnes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1996, 100 hours before - Departed: 7V9 - Airport: 7V9, Las Animas, runway 26, 3,840 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,399 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,350 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PUB, 75 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 19960624015049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960624015049A), Jun 24, 1996: Ayres S2R, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft was unable to climb after takeoff and it struck a dike at end of the runway. ## Other investigations on N4907X (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 CEN19LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA156), May 25, 2019: Rockwell S 2R (N4907X), Oakes, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the helical cam gear of the engine assembly due to fatigue cracks in the gear teeth, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. 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.