# NTSB LAX81FUM20: Rockwell S-2R, N8540V, El Centro, CA, September 18, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 18, 1981
- Place: El Centro, CA · EL CENTRO, CA
- Location: 32.7864° N, 115.5602° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Centro, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7864&lon=-115.5602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FUM20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FUM20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2347  81/9/18  NR.EL CENTRO,CA       ROCKWELL S-2R       CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 47, 5600
        TIME - 0348                    N8540V              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 3000 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         EL CENTRO,CA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  0                   SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
        REMARKS- STRUCK PWR LN WHILE SPRAYING AT NGT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8540V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL S-2R
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810918060529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810918060529A), Sep 18, 1981: Ayres S2R, El Centro, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft hit wires and crashed while spraying at night.

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.

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