# NTSB SEA03LA101: Rockwell International S-2R, N8468V, Royal City, WA, June 12, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 2003, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Royal City, WA - Coordinates: 46.901111, -119.631111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9011&lon=-119.6311&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Spokane FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57219 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57219/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a 20 foot high post while applying chemicals to an agricultural field, which resulted in impact damage to the right main landing gear, and ultimately to a collapse of the subject gear during the subsequent landing roll. Factors include a post within the area that the pilot was applying chemicals to. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - pole (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - previous damage (cause) ## Analysis While applying chemicals to a field, the pilot inadvertently allowed the aircraft's right main landing gear to impact a 20 foot high post. He then dispersed the remainder of his load and returned to the strip he was using as his base of operations. Knowing that the right gear had been damaged, the pilot held the right wing higher than the left as long as he could during the landing roll, but when the right main gear touched the landing surface it collapsed. When the gear collapsed, the right wing came in contact with the terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing main spar. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 2003, approximately 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N8468V, impacted a post during an aerial application flight near Royal City, Washington. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by Royal City Flying service, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, which departed a local airstrip about 15 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. According to the pilot, while applying chemicals to a field, the aircraft's right main landing gear impacted a 20 foot high post. The pilot then dispersed the remainder of his load and returned to the strip he was using as his base of operations. Knowing that the right gear had been damaged, the pilot held the right wing higher than the left as long as he could during the landing roll, but when the right main gear touched the landing surface it collapsed. When the gear collapsed, the right wing came in contact with the terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing main spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8468V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8468V-2018-02-20), registration cancelled 2018-02-20, S/N 2228R, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell International 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: 2228R - Airframe hours: 10600 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN2 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Royal City Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2003 - Departed: Royal City, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 20, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 1,060 total, 147 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20030612013269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030612013269A), Jun 12, 2003: Ayres S2R, Royal City, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On this day, Mr. Bagley was conducting aerial chemical application to a field near his home base. At some point, he struck a 20' tall post with his right… ## Other investigations on N8468V (3) 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 WPR12LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA356), Aug 14, 2012: Rockwell S2R (N8468V), Royal City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the separation of the No. 2 cylinder exhaust rocker boss housing, which prevented the exhaust valve from opening. - [NTSB WPR12CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA229), May 24, 2012: Rockwell International S-2R (N8468V), Royal City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from an object during an aerial application, which resulted in damage to the landing gear and led to the airplane ground looping during the… - [NTSB SEA90LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA140), Jul 15, 1990: Rockwell S2R (N8468V), Royal City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. 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.