# NTSB SEA03LA152: Rockwell S-2R, N4250X, Hermiston, OR, July 21, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2003, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Hermiston, OR - Coordinates: 45.816665, -119.265274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8167&lon=-119.2653&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57560/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA152 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Rocky terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he took off for the aerial application flight with an estimated one hour to one hour and twenty minutes of fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. The pilot utilizes a stop watch to keep track of the time to calculate fuel consumption. While returning to the airport for landing, the engine lost power about one mile short of the runway. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot maneuvered for a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll on rough terrain, the aircraft collided with a rock that damaged the main landing gear and spray boom. The wing sustained substantial damage to ribs and the spar. After the accident, the pilot noted that one hour and three minutes had elapsed. During the post-accident inspection of the aircraft, it was noted that the wing fuel tanks were empty of fuel. The header tank contained a small amount of fuel. After wreckage recovery, fuel was supplied to the system. The boost pumps were activated and fuel pressure was noted. The engine was then started and ran for a few minutes with no anomalies noted before it was shut down. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2003, about 1015 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N4250X, registered to and operated by Ag Northwest as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, experienced a loss of engine power followed by a forced landing near Hermiston, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he had taken off for a spray application with an estimated one hour to one hour and 20 minutes of fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. The pilot reported that he utilizes a stop watch to keep track of the time to calculate fuel consumption. While returning to the airport for landing, the engine lost power about one mile short of runway 4. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot maneuvered to a field for a forced landing. During the landing roll on rough terrain, the aircraft collided with a rock that damaged the main landing gear and spray boom. The wing sustained substantial damage to ribs and the spar. The pilot reported that after the aircraft came to rest he stopped the stop watch which indicated one hour and three minutes. During aircraft recovery, there was no fuel present in the wing fuel tanks. The header fuel tank contained a small amount of fuel. On July 29, 2003, an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Hillsboro, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, witnessed an engine run test. The inspector reported that fuel was supplied to the system. The boost pumps were activated and fuel pressure was noted. The engine was then started and run for a few minutes with no anomalies noted before it was shut down. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4250X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4250X), registered now, S/N 2030R, built 1974 (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: 2030R - Airframe hours: 11871 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 650 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Ag Northwest - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 7, 2002, 405 hours before - Departed: HRI, Hermiston, OR - Airport: HRI, Hermiston Municipal, runway 4, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 6, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 1,310 total, 355 in this make and model, 1,138 as pilot in command, 332 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °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 20030721015849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030721015849A), Jul 21, 2003: Ayres S2R, Hermiston, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power due to usable fuel being depleted. Aircraft landed approximately 3/4 of a mile short of the runway striking a large rock with the… ## Other investigations on N4250X (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 GAA19CA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA185), Mar 28, 2019: Rockwell S 2R (N4250X), Hermiston, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's distraction due to a spray handle opening and his improper pitch trim setting during final approach, which resulted in an excessive pitchdown when he took his hand off the controls to… 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.