ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R
Palouse, WA — April 17, 2012
Event Information
| Date | April 17, 2012 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR12CA172 |
| Event ID | 20120419X92052 |
| Location | Palouse, WA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 46.91000, -117.07528 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL |
| Model | S-2R |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction and subsequent failure to have the airplane refueled.
Full Narrative
The pilot landed after completing an aerial application to a field, and planned on refueling the airplane while the application tank was reloaded. He noted that among other distractions, he was having problems with his global positioning system (GPS), and began discussing it with another pilot. The pilot reported that after takeoff, he realized that he did not have the ground crew refuel the airplane. The destination field was close, so he decided to continue rather than return and fuel the airplane. The fuel gages indicated 1/4 capacity at takeoff, and were bouncing around 1/8 capacity after he completed two passes. The engine subsequently lost power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot landed in a flat field, which was wet and soft. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over, substantially damaging the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures 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.