Rockwell S-2R N4250X

Summary

On 21 July 2003 at about 17:15 local time, a Rockwell S-2R registered N4250X was involved in an accident near Hermiston, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 July 2003 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Hermiston, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Hermiston Municipal (HRI)

Coordinates

45.8167, -119.2653

Aircraft

Rockwell S-2R

Registration

N4250X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hermiston → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03LA152

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Rocky terrain was a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he took off for the aerial application flight with an estimated one hour to one hour and twenty minutes of fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. The pilot utilizes a stop watch to keep track of the time to calculate fuel consumption. While returning to the airport for landing, the engine lost power about one mile short of the runway. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot maneuvered for a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll on rough terrain, the aircraft collided with a rock that damaged the main landing gear and spray boom. The wing sustained substantial damage to ribs and the spar. After the accident, the pilot noted that one hour and three minutes had elapsed. During the post-accident inspection of the aircraft, it was noted that the wing fuel tanks were empty of fuel. The header tank contained a small amount of fuel. After wreckage recovery, fuel was supplied to the system. The boost pumps were activated and fuel pressure was noted. The engine was then started and ran for a few minutes with no anomalies noted before it was shut down.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.