# NTSB LAX85LA390: Rockwell S-2R, N4853X, Coalinga, CA, September 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1985, 19:20 local (Sep 11, 1985, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Coalinga, CA
- Coordinates: 35.259189, -116.689155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2592&lon=-116.6892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA390
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA390

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TURNED ONTO THE FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING ON RWY 36 AS THE SUN SET ON HIS UNLIGHTED AG STRIP. HE SAID THAT HE LOST SIGHT OF THE STRIP DURING THE LANDING FLARE, AND DRIFTD OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY INTO HIGH VEGETATION. THE DRAG OF THE VEGETATION NOSED THE ACFT OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4853X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4853X-2001-03-15), registration cancelled 2001-03-15, S/N 2039R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell S-2R
- Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2039R
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: P&W R1340AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Farm Flite Ag Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1985, 20 hours before
- Departed: COALINGA, CA
- Airport: Duster Strip, runway 36, 2,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19850910029479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850910029479A), Sep 10, 1985: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. During flare, lost all forward visibility due to sun in eyes. Impacted tall vegetation off side of the runway.

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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