# NTSB LAX95LA064: Rockwell S2R Thrush Cmdr, N8455V, Yuma, AZ, December 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1994, 18:00 local (Dec 29, 1994, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.680839, -114.659561 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6808&lon=-114.6596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA064

## Probable cause

a forced landing due to an engine failure of the no.1 cylinder.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - missing (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Fire, emergency landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING AN AERIAL APPLICATION, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERSPEED FOLLOWED BY FLAMES COMING FROM THE EXHAUST.  THE PILOT LANDED IN A FIELD DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT.  THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FOR ANOTHER 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.  EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A SECTION OF THE NO.1 CYLINDER WAS MISSING FROM THE ENGINE.

## Factual narrative

On December 28, 1994, at 1800 mountain standard time, the pilot of a Rockwell S2R Thrush Commander, N8455V, made a forced landing to a field after experiencing a loss of engine power after an aerial application near Yuma, Arizona.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured.

Information from the pilot indicated the engine began to overspeed as he exited the field.  Shortly afterwards, flames began to come out of the exhaust and top of the engine and over the canopy.  The pilot made a forced landing and exited the aircraft.  The engine continued to run for 5 minutes without the propeller turning with flames continuing to come from the engine.  After the engine stopped running, the pilot proceeded to put out the fire with a handheld fire extinguisher.

Examination of the engine by the operator revealed a section of the No. 1 cylinder was missing and there was associated evidence of an engine fire.  The engine had about 5,985 hours total time.  There were about 120 hours time since the last inspection and 250 hours since overhaul.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8455V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8455V-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 2215R, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL S2R THRUSH CMDR (S2R THRUSH)
- Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2215R
- Airframe hours: 6595
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ds Dusters
- Registered owner: Ds Dusters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1994, 300 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 13,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 12,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19941228043009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941228043009A), Dec 28, 1994: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power. Prop stopped. Fire in engine. Engine running after landing. Put out fire. Cylinder broke. 250 since tbo

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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