# NTSB LAX96LA213: Rockwell S-2R, N8447V, Lost Hills, CA, May 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1996, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Lost Hills, CA - Coordinates: 35.61026, -119.90026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6103&lon=-119.9003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29455/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA213 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power due to a cylinder failure. A contributing factor was the lack of a suitable field for the forced landing. ## 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, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the pilot's last aerial application flight over a field, the engine began to shake and lose power. The pilot initially attempted to make a precautionary landing on a nearby road but aborted the plan upon observing traffic. The engine lost additional power, and the pilot made a forced landing in a grape field. Upon inspection of the engine, the number 4 cylinder head was found to have failed. The pilot opined that its failure had been catastrophic and was related to the fact that the cylinder on the engine was 50 years old. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1996, at 0630 hours Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N8447V, operated by Inland Crop Dusters, Inc., experienced a total loss of engine power while performing an aerial application flight near Lost Hills, California. The commercial pilot made a forced landing in a rough field. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from a dirt airstrip near Lost Hills at 0600. According to the pilot, during his last pass over the field the engine began to shake and lose power. The pilot initially attempted to make a precautionary landing on a nearby road, but aborted the plan upon observing traffic. The engine continued losing power, and the pilot made a forced landing in a grape field. The pilot further reported that upon inspection of the engine, the number 4 cylinder head was found to have failed. The pilot opined that its failure had been "catastrophic," and was related to the fact that the cylinder on the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine was 50 years old. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8447V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8447V), registered now, S/N 2207R, built 1976 (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: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2207R - Airframe hours: 9637 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Inland Crop Dusters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 1996, 30 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,116 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 12,347 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19960530012129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960530012129A), May 30, 1996: Ayres S2R, Lost Hill, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on spray run. Landed rough field. NR4 cylinder head split. Caused internal failure. Cyl 50YRS old. 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.