# NTSB FTW98LA407: Snow S2C, N9492R, Bovina, TX, September 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 18, 1998, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Bovina, TX - Coordinates: 34.509586, -102.879943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5096&lon=-102.8799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA407 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43985/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA407 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis During the landing roll, the agricultural airplane exited the right side of the runway and impacted terrain. The pilot reported that after touchdown on runway 09, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to turn right into the 'little bit of south breeze.' He attempted to counteract the turn, but was unsuccessful. The left main landing gear impacted a 'one to two foot' dirt bank that paralleled the runway. Subsequently, the left main gear collapsed and the left wing tip struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 1998, at 0815 central daylight time, a Snow S2C agricultural airplane, N9492R, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during the landing roll at a private airport near Bovina, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Rhodes Crop Care of Bovina. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local maintenance test flight that departed the airport at 0805. According to a co-owner of Rhodes Crop Care, the pilot completed a spray run over the runway to check the spray pattern and was landing in order to adjust the nozzles when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that after touchdown on runway 09, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to turn right into the "little bit of south breeze." The pilot "applied left brake, which was mushy, to counteract the turn." The airplane exited the right side of the gravel runway and continued to turn right. The left main landing gear impacted a "one to two foot" dirt bank that paralleled the runway. Subsequently, the left main gear collapsed and the left wing tip struck the ground. According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, the outboard section of the left wing was bent upward. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9492R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9492R-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 1132C, built 1962 (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: 1132C - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Rhodes Crop Care Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Rhodes Crop Care, runway 9, 2,500 × 20 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,150 total, 731 in this make and model, 1,120 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19980918041149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980918041149A), Sep 18, 1998: Ayres S2C, Bovina, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 09/18/98, 7:30 am at rhodes crop care inc, in Bovina TX. (Private strip) after testing aerial spray pattern with water and dye, aircraft N9492R, upon… ## Other investigations on N9492R (2) 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 FTW04LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA157), Jun 5, 2004: Snow S2C (N9492R), La Feria, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the obstacle while maneuvering to perform an aerial application. A contributing factor was the high vegetation. - [NTSB FTW73FRG95](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FRG95), Jun 30, 1973: Snow S2C (N9492R), Pearsall, TX, substantial damage 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.