# NTSB MKC88LA159: Rockwell S-2R, N8856Q, Swifton, AR, August 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1988, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Swifton, AR
- Coordinates: 35.820453, -91.119537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8205&lon=-91.1195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PILOT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO ESTABLISH A POSITIVE CLIMB. AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 1 MILE, HE ELECTED TO DUMP HIS DRY FERTILIZER LOAD. WHEN HE DUMPED THE LOAD, THE INCREASED AERODYNAMIC DRAG CAUSED BY THE AIR BLOCK ON THE LARGE SPREADER, PLUS THE HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AND DENSITY ALTITUDE AND COMPARATIVELY LOW AIRSPEED, CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL/MUSH INTO THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8856Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8856Q-2015-05-07), registration cancelled 2015-05-07, S/N 2342R, built 1977 (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: 2342R
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Whited Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1988, 350 hours before
- Departed: SWIFTON, AR
- Airport: K.C. Harlin

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 80 nm away

## 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 19880815035849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880815035849A), Aug 15, 1988: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Swifton, AR, Substantial damage. Unable to climb or sustain flight on takeoff. Dumped load and mushed into field. Spreader drag and hot day factors.

## Other investigations on N8856Q (1)

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 DFW05CA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA166), Jun 11, 2005: Rockwell International S-2R (N8856Q), Watson, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall.

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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