# NTSB LAX94LA158: Rockwell S-2R, N4977X, Tacna, AZ, March 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 1994, 20:45 local (Mar 11, 1994, 03:45 UTC) - Place: Tacna, AZ - Coordinates: 32.680656, -113.970443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6807&lon=-113.9704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28693 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28693/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA158 ## Probable cause a catastrophic internal engine failure for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the dark nighttime lighting conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - powerplant - failure,total (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The pilot had finished the aerial application mission and was returning to the airstrip. The engine began to lose oil pressure and power and the pilot diverted to a dirt airstrip on a mesa, which is not equipped with runway lights. As the aircraft neared the dirt airstrip, the engine seized. The pilot touched down adjacent to the dirt runway and a wing collided with a berm. The operator reported that the engine sustained a catastrophic internal failure. No apparent cause was reported for the failure. The night was dark with no moon for illumination. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 1994, at 2045 mountain standard time, a Rockwell S- 2R, N4977X, collided with a berm while landing at a dirt agricultural airstrip near Tacna, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by Schmit Aviation, Inc., of Yuma, Arizona, and was engaged in aerial application operations under 14 CFR 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the nighttime flight and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Tacna, Arizona, at 2015 hours on the day of the mishap for a local area spraying mission. According to the operator, the pilot had finished the aerial application mission and was returning to the airstrip. The engine began to lose oil pressure and power and the pilot diverted to a dirt airstrip on a mesa, which is not equipped with runway lights. As the aircraft neared the dirt airstrip, the engine seized. The pilot touched down adjacent to the dirt runway and a wing collided with a berm. The operator reported that the engine sustained a catastrophic internal failure. No apparent cause was reported for the failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4977X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4977X-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 5022R, built 1975 (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) - Registry engine: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5022R - Airframe hours: 4843 - Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-97 1200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Schmit Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Schmit Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1994, 3 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 11,136 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19940310007189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940310007189A), Mar 10, 1994: Ayres S2RR1820, Tacna, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine siezed on short final. Landed adjacent to runway. Struck a berm. Engine sustained catastrophic failure. ## Other investigations on N4977X (2) 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 WPR11LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA094), Jan 10, 2011: Rockwell International S-2R (N4977X), Oakley, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with an unmarked meteorological evaluation tower (MET) during an aerial application flight due to the pilot's failure to see and avoid the obstacle. Contributing to the… - [NTSB LAX89DUJ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUJ10), Sep 14, 1989: Ayres S-2R (N4977X), Yuma, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING ON A DRY GRAVEL 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.