# NTSB SEA91LA200: Rockwell S-2R, N4865X, Murtaugh, ID, August 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1991, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Murtaugh, ID
- Coordinates: 42.410877, -114.119522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4109&lon=-114.1195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA200

## 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.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - guy wire
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A DIRT ROAD ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT AND THE ACFT DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE IN THE SUITABLE TAKEOFF PORTION OF THE ROAD.  THE ACFT STRUCK A GUY WIRE, VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO A CULTIVATED FIELD AND NOSED OVER.  WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS INDICATED THE ACFT WAS APPROX 982 LBS OVER MAX CERT TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT.

## 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 R1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ag Aero, Inc
- Registered owner: Ag Aero, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,435 total, 2,850 in this make and model, 7,215 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF, 13 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 19910803031289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910803031289A), Aug 3, 1991: Ayres S2RR1340NORM, Murtaugh, ID, Substantial damage. Overgross weight unable to liftoff dirt road. Wing struck power pole wire left road. Nosed over.

## 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 SEA84FA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA110), May 19, 1984: Rockwell S-2R (N4865X), American Falls, ID, substantial damage, 1 fatal

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.