# NTSB SEA08LA133: Thrush S-2R, N8860Q, Holtville, CA, May 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 2008, 18:38 local (May 11, 2008, 01:38 UTC) - Place: Holtville, CA - Coordinates: 32.764446, -115.413612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7644&lon=-115.4136&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67982/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA133 ## Probable cause The loss of oil pressure for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish): pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057931): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057931/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057931/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight when he noticed a loss of available engine power. As he continued, he noticed a rapid increase in oil temperature and decrease in oil pressure and he could not sustain altitude. The pilot force-landed the airplane in a field. During the landing sequence, the engine separated from the airframe and the right wing was crushed. Post accident examination of the engine showed that it sustained internal thermal damage. No anomalies were noted with the oil system and the reason for the loss of oil pressure was not determined. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 2008, at 1838 Pacific daylight time, a Thrush Aircraft, Inc., S-2R, N8860Q, sustained substantial damage following a forced-landing in a field near Holtville, California. DS Dusters, Inc. was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, following his initial spray over the field, he entered a turn and noticed a loss of available power. He scanned his instruments and did not notice any problems. He continued his pass and on the third pass over the field, the loss of power became excessive. He added throttle and the engine responded. Then, the oil temperature rapidly increased and the pilot could not sustain altitude in the airplane. He force-landed the airplane in a field. The engine continued to turn just prior to impact with the ground. During the landing, the engine separated from the airframe and the right wing was crushed. Post accident examination of the Pratt and Whitney 1340 engine showed that it sustained internal thermal damage. The oil tank was full, the oil lines were clear, and manual activation of the oil pump and later visual examination showed no mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8860Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8860Q-2021-09-04), registration cancelled 2021-09-04, S/N 2345R, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Thrush Aircraft, Inc. 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: 2345R - Airframe hours: 4402 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R1340-2 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: D S Dusters Inc - Registered owner: Aerial Ag Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 2008, 2 hours before - Departed: PVT, Holtville, CA - Destination: PVT, Holtville, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 6,400 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,200 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KIPL, 10 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 20080510834449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080510834449A), May 10, 2008: Ayres S2R, Brawley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23)N8860Q a rockwell international S-2R crashed while performing aerial spray operations (crop dusting) the aircraft had a loss of power while pilot was… 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.