# NTSB FTW99LA225: Rockwell S-2R, N4896X, Dermott, AR, August 16, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1999, 15:44 local (20:44 UTC) - Place: Dermott, AR - Coordinates: 33.52053, -91.430335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5205&lon=-91.4303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47355/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA225 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was in level flight dispensing chemicals over a cotton field at approximately 5 feet above the crops when, without warning, the engine lost partial power. As the airplane decelerated, the pilot climbed to 20 to 30 feet above the ground to consider his options for the forced landing. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing to a turn row adjacent to a matured cotton field, which was curved to the right. The pilot placed the right main landing gear tire on the ground as he banked the airplane in an attempt to follow the turn row. While banking, the airplane's spray boom assembly tangled with the cotton plants, resulting in a loss of directional control. After coming to a stop, the engine continued to operate at idle rpm; however, the rpm would not advance beyond 1,100 rpm. The pilot added that he suspected that the loss of engine power on the Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 engine 'was the result of the failure of the engine blower.' However, this was not confirmed by an engine disassembly. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1999, at 1544 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R agricultural airplane, N4896X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Dermott, Arkansas. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Winchester Flying Service, Inc., of Monticello, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Billy Free Municipal Airport, near Dumas, Arkansas, at 1346. The operator stated that the purpose of the aerial application flight was to spray local fields in southeastern Arkansas, as part of a federally funded boll weevil eradication program. The operator added that he purchased the airplane to satisfy the needs of the contract about a month prior to the accident, obtaining his FAA Part 137 certificate 10 days prior to the accident. The pilot, who had accumulated in excess of 8,600 flight hours in the same make and model airplane, stated that during the third flight of the day, the airplane was in level flight dispensing chemicals over a cotton field, approximately 5 feet above the crops when, without warning, the engine lost power. The pilot stated that as the airplane decelerated, he climbed to 20 to 30 feet above the ground to consider his options for the forced landing. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing to a "turn row" adjacent to a matured cotton field, which curved to the right. The pilot maneuvered the airplane so that the right main landing gear tire contacted the ground as he banked the airplane in an attempt to follow the turn row. While banking, the airplane's spray boom assembly tangled with the cotton plants, resulting in a loss of directional control. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, revealed that the fuselage sustained structural damage, the left wing was buckled upward near midspan, and the left main landing gear collapsed. Ground scars revealed that the airplane slid for approximately 300 yards prior to coming to a stop in the upright position. There was no fire, and neither fuel nor chemicals were spilled. The pilot reported that after the airplane slid to a stop, the engine continued to operate at idle rpm; however, the rpm would not advance beyond 1,100 rpm. The pilot added that he suspected that the loss of engine power on the Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 engine "was the result of the failure of the engine blower." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4896X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4896X-2002-10-24), registration cancelled 2002-10-24, S/N 2082R, 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: 2082R - Airframe hours: 13260 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Winchester Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1999, 16 hours before - Departed: 0M0, DUMAS, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; airline transport, flight engineer, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 24,036 total, 8,600 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °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 19990816012929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990816012929A), Aug 16, 1999: Ayres S2R, Dermott, AR, Substantial damage. Acft lost power during aerial application, the right wing struck the cotton plants, the left wing tipped, and the acft slid 300 yards, other circumstances are… 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.