17 Apr 2012: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R — Meines Interprises LLC

17 Apr 2012: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S-2R — Meines Interprises LLC

No fatalities • Palouse, WA, United States

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.

— NTSB Determination

Accident 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.

Contributing factors

  • cause Fluid level
  • factor Pilot
  • Effect on operation
  • cause Pilot
  • factor Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 120/05kt, vis 10sm

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