# NTSB LAX04LA012: Rockwell International S-2R, N7950V, Lemoore, CA, October 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2003, 08:22 local (15:22 UTC) - Place: Lemoore, CA - Coordinates: 36.333057, -119.106391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3331&lon=-119.1064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58141/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA012 ## Probable cause a loss of control for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with the ground during an aerial application and came to rest inverted. During crop dusting operations, the pilot was flying along the north edge of a field, spraying from west to east. About midfield, the airplane entered a steep bank to the right, and the right wing tip impacted the ground. The pilot stated that he was flying and looked toward the right wing "for some reason." Shortly thereafter, the right wing tip impacted the ground. No engine problems were reported. Control continuity could not be established due to impact damage sustained in the accident sequence. The pilot said he could offer no explanation as to why the aircraft banked to the right. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2003, at 0822 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R airplane, N7950V, collided with the ground during an aerial application near Lemoore, California. Machado Dusters, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed a local dirt strip about 0810 for the local aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during crop dusting operations he was flying along the north edge of a field, spraying from west to east. About midfield, the airplane entered a steep bank to the right, and the right wing tip impacted the ground. The pilot did not know why the steep bank occurred. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot. He stated that he was flying and looked toward the right wing "for some reason." Shortly thereafter, the right wing tip impacted the ground. No engine problems were reported. The inspector completed an on scene examination of the wreckage. Control continuity could not be established due to impact damage sustained in the accident sequence. Fuel was present at the site and there were no indications of a bird strike. The inspector reviewed maintenance records and they complied with current regulations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7950V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7950V-2005-10-25), registration cancelled 2005-10-25, S/N 2326R (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell International S-2R - Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2326R - Airframe hours: 10728 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331-5-252 776 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Machado Dusters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2003, 110 hours before - Departed: PVT, Kings County, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 27,300 total, 11,121 in this make and model, 27,245 as pilot in command, 522 in the last 90 days, 101 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KHJO, 12 nm away ## 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 20031013026559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031013026559A), Oct 13, 2003: Ayres S2R, Lemoore, CA, Destroyed. (-23) On October 13, 2003, at 0822 PDT, a rockwell international S2-R model aircraft, N7950V, collided with the ground during an aerial application near… 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.