# NTSB SEA94LA131: Rockwell S-2R, N5642X, Touchet, WA, May 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1994, 06:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Touchet, WA
- Coordinates: 46.120521, -118.639564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1205&lon=-118.6396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA131

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE WIND GUSTS WERE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FLIGHT AND PREVIOUS LANDINGS WERE ALL NORMAL.  ON HIS FINAL LANDING, HE TOUCHED DOWN AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND STARTED TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT NEAR MID-FIELD. HE REPORTED THAT HE APPLIED FULL LEFT BRAKE BUT THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT WHERE IT NOSED OVER IN THE SOFT DIRT.  A WITNESS NOTICED GUSTS THAT WERE NOT EVIDENT TO THE PILOT AT THE TIME OF LANDING.

## Factual narrative

On May 28, 1994, approximately 0615 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R, N5642X, sustained substantial damage during landing at a private airstrip near Touchet, Washington.  The commercial pilot, who was engaged in aerial application activities, sustained minor injuries.  There was no fire and no ELT was on board the aircraft.

The pilot stated that he landed, bounced a couple times, drifted right into a soft plowed field, and the aircraft nosed over onto its back, damaging the left wing, top of the canopy, and the propeller.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5642X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5642X), registered now, S/N 1842R, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL S-2R
- Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1842R
- Airframe hours: 3949
- Engines: CURTIS WRIGHT R-1820-97 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Garbe, Duane M. And Carol A.
- Registered owner: Garbe, Duane M. And Carol A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1994, 149 hours before
- Airport: Touchet-Hilltop, runway 28, 1,320 × 22 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,317 total, 569 in this make and model, 6,092 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19940528013139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940528013139A), May 28, 1994: Ayres S2RRESTD, Touchet, WA, Substantial damage. Bounced landing. Veered off runway into soft plowed field. Nosed over.

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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