# NTSB LAX82DA222: Rockwell Intl. S-2R, N4218X, Firebaugh, CA, June 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1982, 08:02 local (15:02 UTC)
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Coordinates: 36.850776, -120.539115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8508&lon=-120.5391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA222

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS SPREADING FERTILIZER OVER A FIELD AND MANEUVERING OVER "HIGH TENSION LINES." NO PROBLEMS WERE ENCOUNTERED DURING PREVIOUS FLIGHTS EARLIER THAT DAY. THE PILOT HAD PICKED UP ANOTHER LOAD WHICH HE REPORTED WAS PROBABLY TOO MUCH. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE FIELD, HE STARTED TO GO OVER THE LINES, BUT THE AIRCRAFT JUST WAS NOT CLIMBING WELL. PRIOR TO CONTACT WITH THE WIRE HE ATTEMPTED TO DUMP THE LOAD. HE BELIEVED THAT THE TAILWHEEL CAUGHT ONE OF THE WIRES AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND FELL BEYOND THE WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4218X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4218X-1982-12-04), registration cancelled 1982-12-04, S/N 1977R, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL INTL. S-2R
- Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1977R
- Airframe hours: 5255
- Engines: P & W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Tri Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Tri Air Inc.
- Departed: FIREBAUGH, CA
- Destination: FIREBAUGH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,800 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °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 19820616022459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820616022459A), Jun 16, 1982: Ayres S2R, Firebaugh, CA, Destroyed. Struck wires on pull up from a spray run. Pilot misjudged aircraft load and performance.

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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