# NTSB FTW96LA326: Rockwell International S2R, N4886X, Tahlequah, OK, July 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 1996, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Tahlequah, OK - Coordinates: 35.909725, -94.970016 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9097&lon=-94.9700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19927/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA326 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane resulting in fuel exhaustion. 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(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis While cruising at 6,500 feet MSL, a total loss of engine power occurred. During the force landing to a rough field the airplane landed hard. Flight time was 1 hour and 50 minutes and the flight had departed with 97 gallons of usable fuel. The owner had previously run the engine about 3 hours since a major overhaul. The fuel consumption rate since the overhaul had not been determined; however, the owner reported a previous fuel consumption rate of 45 gph and that the 'airplane ran out of fuel.' ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1996, at 1540 central daylight time, a Rockwell International Thrush S2R, N4886X, registered to Riddell Flying Service Inc., of West Helena, Arkansas, and operated by Air Ag Inc., of Greeley, Nebraska, under Title 14 CFR Part 91, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from West Helena 1 hour and 50 minutes before the accident. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the flight departed with 104 gallons of fuel (94 usable) en route to Plains, Kansas, with the first refueling stop planned for Tahlequah. Approximately 10 miles from Tahlequah while in cruise flight at 6,500 feet MSL, a total loss of engine power occurred. During the forced landing approach to a rough field approximately 7 miles from Tahlequah, the airplane landed hard, collapsing the gear, damaging the lower fuselage, propeller, left wing and spraying system. The owner reported, during a telephone interview conducted by the investigator-in-charge, that the operator had leased the airplane and was ferrying the airplane to Kansas. The owner further stated that the engine had accumulated about 3 hours since a major overhaul. Fuel consumption rate had not been determined for this engine since the overhaul; however, the previous fuel consumption rate was 45 gph and the airplane "ran out of fuel." The Pilot/Operator report states that the engine quit "due to fuel starvation." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4886X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4886X-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N 2087R, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell International 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: 2087R - Airframe hours: 7450 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Ward A. Mills, doing business as Ag Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Riddell Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1995, 6 hours before - Departed: HEE, WEST HELENA, AR - Destination: H73, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,800 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 15,800 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUL, 285 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 19960725026059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960725026059A), Jul 25, 1996: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Tahlequah, OK, Substantial damage. Lost power on ferry flight. Made hard landing in rough field. Pilot reported engine quit due fuel exhaustion. (-23) the aircraft was filled up in Arkansas;… ## Other investigations on N4886X (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 GAA17CA459](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA459), Jul 27, 2017: Rockwell International S 2R (N4886X), McRae, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in tailwind conditions. 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.