# NTSB FTW97LA186: Snow S2C, N1619S, Hondo, TX, May 12, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 1997, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Hondo, TX - Coordinates: 29.349563, -99.150779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3496&lon=-99.1508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20216/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA186 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll ## Analysis According to the operator, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane after executing a wheel landing on the centerline of runway 17L. The airplane was observed exiting the right side of the runway, and remained in a right turn after exiting the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed within 30 feet after exiting the runway and the left wing and propeller struck the ground. The airplane came to rest on its left wing. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from the southeast at 3 knots. No pre-existing defects or anomalies were found on the landing gear or brake system of the airplane by the FAA inspector and the operator. Numerous attempts, albeit unsuccessful, were made by the investigator-in-charge to speak to the pilot and conduct a formal interview. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 1997, at approximately 1200 central daylight time, a Snow S2C agricultural airplane, N1619S, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing near Hondo, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane, owned and operated by Rusty's Flying Service, of Hondo, Texas, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Hondo Municipal Airport, near Hondo, Texas, at approximately 1100. According to the operator, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane after executing a wheel landing on the centerline of runway 17L. The airplane was observed exiting the right side of the runway, and remained in a right turn after exiting the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed within 30 feet after exiting the runway and the left wing and propeller struck the ground. The airplane came to rest on its left wing. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from the southeast at 3 knots. Examination of the 1963 model airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the airframe sustained structural damage. No pre-existing defects or anomalies were found on the landing gear or brake system of the airplane. Numerous attempts, albeit unsuccessful, were made by the investigator-in-charge to speak to the pilot and conduct a formal interview. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1619S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1619S), registered now, S/N 1167C, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Snow S2C - Registry model: [Snow S2C](https://openairdocs.org/model/snow-s2c) (registry code 8380206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1167C - Airframe hours: 3201 - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Rusty Lindeman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1997, 32 hours before - Departed: HDO, TX - Airport: HDO, Hondo Municipal Airport, runway 17L, 6,020 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,636 total, 40 in this make and model, 18,636 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F ## 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 19970512009939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970512009939A), May 12, 1997: Ayres S2C, Hondo, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost directional control and ran off runway after landing. (.4)according to the operator, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane after… ## Other investigations on N1619S (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 FTW92LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA103), Apr 3, 1992: Snow S2C (N1619S), Roby, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE MANEUVERING AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL. 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.