Rockwell S2-R accident near Firebaugh, CA
On June 29, 1994, a Rockwell S2-R (airplane) was involved in an accident near Firebaugh, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 29, 1994
- Place
- Firebaugh, CA
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S2-R · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.851°N, 120.540°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01583
NTSB summary
On June 28, 1994, at 1954 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell S2-R, N4230X, collided with the ground following an in-flight fire in the chemical spreader and a loss of control near Firebaugh, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Tri Air, Inc., of Firebaugh, and was engaged in local area aerial application operations under 14 CFR 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence and postcrash fire. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated at the Firebaugh airport on the day of the mishap at 1930. At departure, the aircraft was loaded with 2,000 pounds of a dusting sulfur compound in powder form (containing 98% sulfur) for application to the fields. An estimated 1,500 pounds remained on the aircraft at the accident. Three witnesses reported observing all or parts of the accident sequence. A helicopter pilot was airborne en route to an aerial application job in a neighboring field and first noticed the aircraft about 10 miles away working a field. He stated that the outside air temperature was 96 degrees. As the pilot watched the aircraft, he observed what he believed to be an explosion and immediately radioed his company to have them notify the authorities. After arrival over the accident site, the pilot observed the aircraft on the ground burning. A second witness lives about 3/8ths of a mile from the crash site and was mowing his lawn. He reported hearing a pop or explosion s
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AS A RESULT OF INCAPACITATION FROM AN IN-FLIGHT SULFUR FIRE.
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Browse: California · Rockwell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
