# NTSB WPR12CA229: Rockwell International S-2R, N8468V, Royal City, WA, May 24, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 24, 2012, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Royal City, WA - Coordinates: 46.889999, -119.600555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8900&lon=-119.6006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83758 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83758/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83758 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA229 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from an object during an aerial application, which resulted in damage to the landing gear and led to the airplane ground looping during the subsequent landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an aerial application pass, the pilot mistakenly descended the airplane too early and struck a pipe on a center pivot irrigation system. As a result, the left main landing gear sustained damage, and the pilot flew the airplane back to the airport to land. The pilot stated that the airplane ground looped upon touchdown due to the damaged landing gear. The airplane's left wing was damaged during the ground loop. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to striking the object. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to perform an aerial application on a wheat field. During a pass, he mistakenly descended the airplane too early and struck a pipe on a center pivot irrigation system. As a result, the left main landing gear sustained damage, and the pilot flew the airplane back to the airport to land. Upon touchdown, the airplane ground looped due to the damage incurred by the landing gear. The airplane's left wing was damaged during the landing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to striking the object. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8468V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8468V-2018-02-20), registration cancelled 2018-02-20, S/N 2228R, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL 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: 2228R - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Royal Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Royal Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Departed: 8WA, Royal City, WA - Destination: 8WA, Royal City, WA - Airport: 8WA, Royal Flying Service, runway 27, 2,500 × 24 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 713 total, 302 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - 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 20120524009579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120524009579A), May 24, 2012: Rockwell International S-2R, Royal City, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was conducting an aerial application of a wheat field when he struck the main pipe of an irrigation circle with the left main landing gear, bending it… ## Other investigations on N8468V (3) 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 WPR12LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA356), Aug 14, 2012: Rockwell S2R (N8468V), Royal City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the separation of the No. 2 cylinder exhaust rocker boss housing, which prevented the exhaust valve from opening. - [NTSB SEA03LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA101), Jun 12, 2003: Rockwell International S-2R (N8468V), Royal City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a 20 foot high post while applying chemicals to an agricultural field, which resulted in impact damage to the right main landing gear, and ultimately to… - [NTSB SEA90LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA140), Jul 15, 1990: Rockwell S2R (N8468V), Royal City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83758. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.