# NTSB LAX83LA378: Rockwell S2R, N8874Q, Cantua Creek, CA, August 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1983, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Cantua Creek, CA
- Coordinates: 36.490348, -120.359649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4903&lon=-120.3596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA378
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA378

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fire (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORT THAT WHILE HE WAS APPLYING SULFUR TO A TOMATOE FIELD, SULFUR DUST, WHICH HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE COCKPIT, IGNITED. HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN ADJACENT COTTON FIELD WHICH WAS MUDDY FROM IRRIGATION. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN WHEELS DUG INTO THE SOFT GROUND & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8874Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8874Q-1995-04-06), registration cancelled 1995-04-06, S/N 1474R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL S2R
- Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1474R
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Aircraft Spray, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1982, 1 hours before
- Departed: Q77, KERMAN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,550 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 7,400 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC, 27 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 19830804043719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830804043719A), Aug 4, 1983: Ayres S2RRESTD, Cantua Creek, CA, Substantial damage. Static electricity ignited sulfur dust in cockpit. Blinded by smoke pilot landed in a muddy field. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N8874Q (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 LAX94LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA379), Sep 26, 1994: Rockwell S2R (N8874Q), Visalia, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: the pilot failed to maintain an adequate visual lookout and collided with power lines which resulted in an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.

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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