# NTSB LAX90DUJ08: Rockwell S-2R, N4165X, Yuma, AZ, September 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1990, 04:05 local (11:05 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.679897, -114.660552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6799&lon=-114.6606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUJ08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUJ08

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SELECT A CRUISE ALTITUDE WHICH WOULD ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT WHICH INHIBITED THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO SEE THE OBSTRUCTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tower
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE DEPARTED FROM THE JACKSON AG STRIP AT ABOUT 0400 HOURS AFTER LOADING CHEMICALS TO BE SPRAYED ON A FIELD ABOUT 15 MILES TO THE EAST. THE NIGHT WAS DARK WITH NO MOON VISIBLE. THE PILOT SELECTED 300 FEET AGL AS A CRUISE ALTITUDE DURING THE FLIGHT TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THINKS HE ENCOUNTERED A STRONGER THAN EXPECTED CROSS WIND WHICH BLEW HIM ABOUT ONE MILE OFF COURSE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN UNLIGHTED 'H' FRAME POWER LINE SUPPORT STRUCTURE AT A POWER STATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4165X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4165X-1991-06-05), registration cancelled 1991-06-05, S/N 1936R (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: 1936R
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Dms Ag Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1989, 303 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,976 total, 1,469 in this make and model, 7,858 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 135° at 7 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19900915039579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900915039579A), Sep 15, 1990: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Yuma, AZ, Destroyed. Struck support girder of power station tower en route to spray area. Pilot reported wind drifted him into tower.

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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