# NTSB LAX87DUM02: Rockwell S2R, N4194X, Imperial, CA, April 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1987, 06:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Imperial, CA
- Coordinates: 32.860694, -115.650604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8607&lon=-115.6506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUM02

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuselage,cargo compartment - fire (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION APPLYING SULPHUR, THE SULPHUR IGNITED INFLIGHT. THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRCRAFT BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT; HOWEVER, THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND ON A ROAD. DUE TO THE EXTENT OF FIRE DAMAGE IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED HOW THE SULPHUR IGNITED. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4194X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4194X-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 1958R, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL S2R
- Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1958R
- Airframe hours: 4486
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: The Stoker Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1986, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,723 total, 4,550 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870424020539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870424020539A), Apr 24, 1987: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Imperial, CA, Substantial damage. The load of sulphur caught fire during agricultural spraying operations. Pilots safely landed aircraft on a road.

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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