# NTSB LAX04CA153: Ayres S2R-600, N8520V, Calipatria, CA, March 11, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2004, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Calipatria, CA - Coordinates: 33.14389, -115.57611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1439&lon=-115.5761&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 June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58893/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA153 ## Probable cause the failure of ground personnel to refuel the airplane with the proper fuel grade/octane, resulting in the airplane's loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to detect the fuel problem during a preflight inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause) - refueling - improper, ground personnel (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - encountered ## Analysis The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and ground looped during an off airport landing in a plowed field. Prior to takeoff, the pilot loaded the airplane with chemical application and had the left tank filled with fuel. After the airplane was airborne, he felt the engine lose power, but the instrument gauges showed normal indications. He decided to open the dump gate in an effort to release the chemical load, and prevent the airplane from stalling. The airplane lost complete power, and the pilot began to search for adequate terrain to land. During touchdown in a plowed field, the airplane bounced back into the air and veered to the left, crossing several field rows. During the second touchdown, the main wheels crossed the plowed furrows and the airplane ground looped. After the accident the pilot found out that prior to departure, the airplane was refueled with Jet-A fuel, as opposed to the required Avgas. While at the fuel island, a new employee had mistakenly filled the Avgas fuel truck with Jet-A fuel. The employee then used the Jet-A fuel in the truck to refuel the airplane. In an effort to help avoid similar problems, the operator has ordered new nozzles for the fueling points to help distinguish the Jet-A tank from Avgas tank. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 2004, about 1000 Pacific standard time, an Ayers Thrush S2R-600, N8520V, experienced a total loss of engine power and made an off airport landing in a plowed field near Calipatria, California. Farm Aviation, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport, Calipatria, about 1000. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he loaded the airplane with chemical application and had the left tank filled with fuel. During his takeoff roll, all engine instruments showed normal indications. After the airplane was airborne, he felt the engine lose power. The instrument gauges continued to show normal indications. He decided to open the dump gate in an effort to release the chemical load, and prevent the airplane from stalling. The airplane lost complete power, and the pilot began to search for adequate terrain to land. During touchdown in a field, the airplane bounced back into the air and veered to the left, crossing several field rows. Upon returning back down onto the terrain, the airplane ground looped. After the accident the pilot found out that prior to departure, the airplane was refueled with Jet-A fuel, as opposed to the required Avgas. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the operator stated that, while at the fuel island, a new employee had mistakenly filled the fuel truck with Jet-A fuel. The employee then used the Jet-A fuel in the truck to refuel the airplane. In an effort to help avoid similar problems, the operated has ordered new nozzles for the fueling points to help distinguish the Jet-A tank from the Avgas tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8520V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8520V-2017-07-18), registration cancelled 2017-07-18, S/N 2280R, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-600 - 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: 2280R - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN1 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Farm Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: KCLR, Calipatria, CA - Destination: KCLR, Calipatria, CA - Airport: KCLR, Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airpor, runway 26 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: center; flight hours: 3,159 total, 600 in this make and model, 94 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040311005579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040311005579A), Mar 11, 2004: Ayres S2R, Calipatria, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Ground support personnel inadvertently serviced the fueling tank on the truck with jet fuel. The aircraft was fueled from the tank and began to lose… ## Other investigations on N8520V (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 WPR11LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA279), Jun 23, 2011: Rockwell International S-2R (N8520V), Brawley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, which likely resulted from the failure of the piston connecting rod in cylinder number 3 due to hydraulic lock in that cylinder. 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.