# NTSB WPR23LA211: Rockwell International S-2R, N4894X, Paul, ID, June 3, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 3, 2023, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Paul, ID · private air strip - Coordinates: 42.73535, -113.84289 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7353&lon=-113.8429&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 192305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192305/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192305 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA211 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on the takeoff roll, resulting in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: 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) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane began to drift to the right. He applied left rudder correction; however, the airplane continued to drift right and exited the runway. The airplane continued over a small hill and became airborne. The pilot applied full power to maintain flight, and within a short distance, realized that the airplane was in an unusual attitude. He lowered the airplane’s nose, and the airplane contacted the ground. The left main landing gear and spreader separated from the airframe and the airplane came to rest upright, perpendicular to the runway. The left wing and aileron were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4894X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4894X-2024-09-03), registration cancelled 2024-09-03, S/N 2079R, built 1974 (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: 2079R - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 13935.5 - Engines: Honeywell/Garrett TPE331-10-511M 1000 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 27, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: n/a, Rocky Ridge, runway none, 3,250 × 35 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2022; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,109 total, 873 in this make and model, 2,039 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: KBYI, 4 nm away - METAR: KBYI 031653Z AUTO 23005KT 10SM CLR 18/09 A3008 ## 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 20230603004279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230603004279A), Jun 3, 2023: Rockwell International S-2R, Paul, ID, Substantial damage. While conducting CFR part 137 agricultural operations, the pilot reported loss of directional control on the takeoff roll, drifting right of centerline and… ## Other investigations on N4894X (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 WPR12CA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA103), Feb 5, 2012: Rockwell International S-2R (N4894X), Yellow Pine, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot did not reduce the airplane’s descent rate prior to the landing flare/touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192305. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15749110&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA211_6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15748950&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA211_photo_508-Rel.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.