# NTSB MKC89LA081: Rockwell S2R T34, N4968X, Heth, AR, March 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1989, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Heth, AR
- Coordinates: 35.059719, -90.459411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0597&lon=-90.4594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA081

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND DUE TO LANDING IN A TAILWIND OF EXCESSIVE VELOCITY WHICH THE PILOT MISJUDGED OR FAILED TO RECOGNIZE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll
- Fire, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PLT SAID THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH A 15 TO 25 KNOT TAILWIND, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED DOWN. THE PROPELLER STRUCK THE RUNWAY, WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER AND TURBINE ENGINE. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED BACK TO THE COCKPIT AREA. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4968X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4968X-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 5013R, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell S2R T34
- Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5013R
- Engines: P&W PT-6 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Heth Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: HETH, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR

## 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 19890317004019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890317004019A), Mar 17, 1989: Ayres S2RT34RESTD, Heth, AR, Substantial damage. Wind gust from rear caused aircraft to nose down on landing and resulted in prop strike and engine damage. Tailwind

## Other investigations on N4968X (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 FTW04LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA158), Jun 10, 2004: Rockwell International S-2R (N4968X), Needville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight fire for undetermined reasons.

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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