# NTSB LAX83LA215: North American Rockwell S2R800, N4985X, Fallon, NV, May 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1983, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Fallon, NV
- Coordinates: 39.499061, -118.289901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4991&lon=-118.2899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23698
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23698/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA215

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT OVERRAN THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY DURING TAKEOFF. THE ACFT HAD A FULL LOAD OF FUEL AND ABOUT 250 LBS. OF INSECTICIDE. THE ACFT HAD ATTAINED A SPEED OF 65 MPH AS THE END OF THE RWY WAS APPROACHED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE COULD MAKE THE TAKEOFF BUT HE BEGAN DUMPING THE INSECTICIDE AND AT THE RWYS END HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN TOWARD A ROAD. AT THIS POINT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. TIRE MARKS 1 TO 1 1/2 INCHES DEEP WERE FOUND IN THE SOFT DIRT RWY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE RUN-UP CHECKS HAD BEEN PERFORMED WHILE ROLLING ON THE 3650 FT RWY. THE ARPT ELEVATION IS 3950 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4985X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4985X-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 5030R, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: North American Rockwell Corp. S2R800
- Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5030R
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1300 800 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Jerald Frey & Frey Spray
- Registered owner: Roger Wolfe
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: FLX, Fallon, runway 13, 3,650 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NFL, 6 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 19830504017139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830504017139A), May 4, 1983: Ayres S2R800, Fallon, NV, Destroyed. Began takeoff without a runup. Lacked speed for takeoff began dumping load ran thru a fence into an embankment.

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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