Rockwell S2R R1340

Keokuk, IA — July 12, 2020

Event Information

DateJuly 12, 2020
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberCEN20LA276
Event ID20200713X14320
LocationKeokuk, IA
CountryUSA
Coordinates40.44278, -91.42416
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeRockwell
ModelS2R R1340
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None1
Total Injured0

Probable Cause

The improper installation of a fuel vent line during maintenance, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On July 12, 2020, about 1110 central daylight time, a Rockwell Thrush S2R R1340, N3104S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Keokuk, Iowa. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 ferry flight.
The agricultural airplane had just completed repairs at a certified repair facility. Part of the repairs included the removal and reinstallation of both wings. The intent of the flight was to ferry the airplane cross-country from the repair station to its home base in Vinton, Iowa. A planned fuel stop was at the Keokuk Municipal Airport (EOK), Keokuk, Iowa. According to the pilot, he had topped off the airplane with 197 gallons of fuel before departing the repair station. The pilot set up on a straight-in approach to at EOK and was flying about 1,500 -1,800 ft above ground level when the engine temperature surged then decreased. The engine stopped running and the pilot attempted restart procedures. The pilot determined that he was not going to make it to the airport so he decided to land the airplane in a field. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that a rubber fuel vent line in the right wing was bent across a structural beam kinking the line in a manner that would restrict the airflow through the line. The creased fuel vent was not related to impact damage. The installation of the right wing's vent line was improper.

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.

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