# NTSB SEA84FA110: Rockwell S-2R, N4865X, American Falls, ID, May 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1984, 20:00 local (May 19, 1984, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: American Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.720623, -112.989486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7206&lon=-112.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA110

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE LOAD/GROUND CREW REPORTED THAT THE PLT PLANNED TO MAKE 1 MORE SPRAY RUN BEFORE FLYING BACK TO THE HOME BASE. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT RETURN TO THE LOADING AREA, THEY ASSUMED HE HAD RETURNED TO THE BASE. THEY DROVE 20 MI BACK TO THE BASE, BUT FOUND NEITHER THE ACFT NOR THE PLT, S0 THEY RETURNED TO THE SPRAY AREA. THE ACFT WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED ON ROLLING/HILLY TERRAIN (AT DUSK). AN EXAM REVEALED THE PROPELLER HAD CONTACTED THE GROUND APPX 386 FT WEST OF THE PRINCIPAL IMPACT POINT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE LEFT WING SPRAY BOOM HAD INTERMITTENTLY CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A 10 TO 15 DEG CIRCULAR ARC TO THE NORTH. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR THEN CONTACTED THE UNEVEN TERRAIN. BEYOND THAT, THE ACFT CROSSED A GULLY/DITCH, IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN & CAME TO REST IN AN INVERTED POSITION. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THIS WAS THE PLT'S 1ST SPRAY MISSION FOR THE OPERATOR. ABOUT 18 MI EAST AT BURLEY, ID, THE 1845 MDT WX WAS IN PART: 200 FT PARTIAL OBSCURED, 3000 FT BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4865X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4865X), registered now, S/N 2060R (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: 2060R
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-L 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ag Aero, Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 15, 1984, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BYI, 18 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 19840518019899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840518019899A), May 18, 1984: Ayres S2RRESTD, American Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Struck the ground during a spray run. Aircraft cartwheeled and stopped inverted. Approaching darkness a factor.

## Other investigations on N4865X (2)

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 SEA05LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA126), Jun 24, 2005: Rockwell S-2R (N4865X), Mountain Home, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel resulting in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight and the loss of engine power. A vehicle was a factor in the on ground collision.
- [NTSB SEA91LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA200), Aug 3, 1991: Rockwell S-2R (N4865X), Murtaugh, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN HIS ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH THE AIRCRAFT LOADED OVER MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT.

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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