Pilot Debrief

ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S 2R near Calipatria, CA — 2017-08-22

Final reportANC17FA047
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Date
2017-08-22
Location
Calipatria, CA, USA
Aircraft
ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S 2R
Registration
N5022X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because of the extensive thermal damage from the postcrash fire.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was performing an aerial application flight in the airplane. A witness reported that after a slight right turn, the airplane rolled wings level, about 150 to 200 ft above ground level. Then, the nose dropped, and the airplane impacted a field in a near vertical attitude. A postimpact fire ensued, which consumed most of the airplane's fuselage, left wing, and empennage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. However, the extent of thermal damage to the airplane prevented confirmation of control continuity.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the turn that led to loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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