Rockwell S 2R
Hermiston, OR — March 28, 2019
Event Information
| Date | March 28, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA185 |
| Event ID | 20190328X91943 |
| Location | Hermiston, OR |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 45.82000, -119.28083 |
| Airport | HERMISTON MUNI |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | Rockwell |
| Model | S 2R |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's distraction due to a spray handle opening and his improper pitch trim setting during final approach, which resulted in an excessive pitchdown when he took his hand off the controls to close the handle.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, after completing an agricultural spraying flight, he returned to the airport. He added that, on final, he added flaps and became distracted by a spray handle that became open due to vibration. He took his hand off the control stick to close the spray handle, but because the airplane was improperly trimmed, the airplane pitched down severely. He pitched the nose up to about level, but the main landing gear struck the ground. The airplane bounced onto an irrigation system, the right main landing gear separated, and the airplane spun around before coming to rest.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.