# NTSB OAK78FVA48: Rockwell S2R, N5542X, Helm, CA, June 22, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: June 22, 1978
- Place: Helm, CA · HELM, CA
- Location: 36.5316° N, 120.0982° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Helm, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5316&lon=-120.0982&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78FVA48
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVA48

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1350  78/6/22  NR.HELM,CA            ROCKWELL S2R        CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0415                    N5542X              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 32, 6150 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            150 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         HELM,CA                      LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1650                       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAPES                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  180                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - SECOND 1/3 TURN
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5542X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5542X-2012-08-23), registration cancelled 2012-08-23, S/N 1742R, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL S2R
- Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780622015389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780622015389A), Jun 22, 1978: Ayres S2B, Helm, CA, Destroyed

## Other investigations on N5542X (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 OAK74DVA39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVA39), Jan 10, 1974: Aero Comdr 600S2R (N5542X), Five Points, CA, substantial damage

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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