Casualties unknown

Engine Failure Forces Crop Duster to Land on Mesa (N4977X)

Tacna, AZ, US

On March 11, 1994, a Rockwell S-2R (registration N4977X) operated by Schmit Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Tacna, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: a catastrophic internal engine failure for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the dark nighttime lighting conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot returning from an aerial application mission diverted to a dirt airstrip on a mesa after losing engine oil pressure and power. The engine seized, and the aircraft struck a berm during the landing in dark, moonless conditions.

Incident Overview

A pilot flying an aerial application mission was returning to the home airstrip when the engine began to lose oil pressure and power. The pilot diverted to a dirt airstrip located on a mesa, which does not have runway lights.

Engine Seizure and Landing

As the aircraft approached the dirt airstrip, the engine seized. The pilot touched down adjacent to the dirt runway, and during the rollout, a wing collided with a berm. The operator subsequently reported that the engine sustained a catastrophic internal failure. No apparent cause for the failure was reported.

Environmental Conditions

The accident occurred at night under dark conditions, with no moon providing illumination.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X00930. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.