# NTSB WPR15LA186: Rockwell International S 2R, N8420V, Washtucna, WA, June 16, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 2015, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Washtucna, WA - Coordinates: 46.867221, -118.321388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8672&lon=-118.3214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91381 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91381/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91381 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA186 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a quartering tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing, the wind shifted to a quartering tailwind. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane veered left off the airstrip into an adjacent field. The airplane subsequently nosed over in the soft soil. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2015, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, airplane, N8420V, sustained substantial damage during landing roll and subsequent noseover, in an adjacent field to the Kinch Farms Airport, Washtucna, Washington. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to B & R Aerial Crop Care, Inc., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. In a written statement, the pilot stated that during the 10th landing of the day on runway 3, the wind shifted resulting in a quartering tailwind. During the landing, he lost directional control and the airplane veered left into an adjacent field. The field had recently been plowed, and the soil was soft. Subsequently, the airplane nosed-over, resulting in substantial damage to the canopy roll cage structure. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest weather reporting station reported wind near the time of the accident was from 130 degrees at 5 knots, gusting up to 10 knots. A postaccident examination of the airplane was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The cockpit overhead structural tubing was bent, and the pilot's helmet had impact marks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8420V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8420V-2020-06-12), registration cancelled 2020-06-12, S/N 2180R, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S 2R (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 2180R - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 8991 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R1340-S3H1G 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2015, 29 hours before - Departed: WN72, Washtucna, WA - Destination: WN72, Washtucna, WA - Airport: WN72, Kinch Farms, runway 03, 2,500 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: serious; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 31, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,819 total, 29 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KMWH, 46 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 20150616008979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150616008979A), Jun 16, 2015: Rockwell International S-2R, Washtucna, WA, Minor damage. Pilot was applying dry fertilizer on several fields near wastucna, WA. The day was warming up and the air was starting to get a little rough though he stated… ## Other investigations on N8420V (1) 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 SEA04CA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA059), Mar 26, 2004: Rockwell S-2R (N8420V), Mattawa, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Compensation for wind conditions not maintained. Factors include a tailwind and a rock pile adjacent to the runway. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 4, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91381. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Examination Notes-FAA (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Examination%20Notes-FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of LOE) (item 3, .PDF, 703 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430281&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20LOE)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Right Brake Rotor and Wheel Assembly (item 4, .PDF, 910 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430282&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Brake%20Rotor%20and%20Wheel%20Assembly-Master.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.