# NTSB FTW97LA228: Rockwell S-2R, N4859X, Pond Creek, OK, June 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Pond Creek, OK - Coordinates: 36.659015, -97.800941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6590&lon=-97.8009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20247 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20247/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA228 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the takeoff initial climb, approximately 30 feet AGL, the agricultural airplane's engine lost power. During the subsequent forced landing, the pilot pulled back on the control stick and intentionally 'stalled' the airplane in order to prevent it from nosing over on touchdown in the soft field. A hard landing resulted in the collapse of both main landing gear. Examination of the engine and propeller revealed no preimpact discrepancy which would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 1997, at 1000 central daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R agricultural airplane, N4859X, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff from the Pond Creek Municipal Airport, Pond Creek, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight. A flight plan was not filed for the local, aerial application flight that was originating at the time of the accident. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot stated that during the takeoff initial climb, approximately 30 feet AGL, the engine lost power, and the airplane "crashed" in a wheat field about 1000 feet from the departure end of runway 17. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the engine "spooled down," and he pulled back on the control stick and intentionally "stalled" the airplane into the wheat field. He further reported that he elected to make a full stall landing in order to prevent the airplane from nosing over on the soft ground. According to the pilot, the hard landing resulted in the collapse of both main landing gear and structural damage to the aft fuselage. On July 9, 1997, the engine, a Garrett TPE331-1-151A, S/N P92234, was disassembled at Intercontinental Jet, Inc., in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under the supervision of a FAA inspector. A report (copy attached) prepared by Intercontinental Jet's Chief Inspector indicated that the "engine displayed no obvious defects that would have caused it to stop running." On July 29, 1997, the propeller, a Hartzell HC-B3TN-5G/T10282N, S/N BV-3015, was disassembled at Hartzell Propeller, Inc., in Piqua, Ohio, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. As noted in the attached "Propeller Teardown Report" prepared by Hartzell, all three blades "displayed a smooth rearward directed bend (towards the face side)." The blades displayed "minimal leading edge damage" and "no notable impact related twist." According to the FAA inspector, examination of the propeller revealed no pre-impact discrepancies which would have precluded normal propeller operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4859X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4859X), registered now, S/N 2051R, 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: 2051R - Engines: Garrett TPE331-1 600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Andrew I. Deterding - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1997, 300 hours before - Departed: 2K1 - Airport: 2K1, Pond Creek Municipal, runway 17, 2,320 × 430 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19970618015169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970618015169A), Jun 18, 1997: Ayres S2R, Pond Creek, OK, Substantial damage. During the takeoff initial climb, approximately 30 feet AGL, the agricultural airplanes engine lost power. The pilot pulled back on the control stick and… 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.