Rockwell S-2R N4893X
21 August 1997 · Columbus, New Mexico, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 21 August 1997 at about 20:35 local time, a Rockwell S-2R registered N4893X, operated by Robert J. Mamuzich, was involved in an accident near Columbus, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Columbus, New Mexico, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S-2R
- Registration
- N4893X
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Robert J. Mamuzich
- Operating rule
- Part 137: Agricultural
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Application
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Deming → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW97LA322
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
a loss of engine power due to failure of an exhaust side rocker box and valve mechanism, and pilot incapacitation due to loss of consciousness after being struck in the head by parts separating from the engine.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The airplane impacted terrain following a loss of engine power while maneuvering. The pilot stated 'on the final pass [he] pulled up out of the field and initiated a turn towards Deming, when an object came through the right corner windshield striking [him] in the head,' rendering him unconscious. A witness who was approximately 1 mile from the accident site stated that he saw the airplane 'flying straight and then nose into the ground.' The witness did not hear any engine noises. Several workers, in a nearby field, reported that they observed the airplane pull out of the field and start to turn, when the engine quit. The owner examined the engine and determined that the exhaust side rocker box and exhaust valve mechanism had broken off the number 7 cylinder. There was a 'deep groove' on the back side of a propeller blade. The owner stated that the rocker box could have been ejected from the engine and contacted a propeller blade which deflected the rocker box into the cabin.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Rockwell S-2R accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr 1997 | Rockwell S-2R | Prescott, Washington, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 26 Apr 1997 | Rockwell S-2R | Lincolnton, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Jun 1997 | Rockwell S-2R | Pond Creek, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Jun 1996 | Rockwell S-2R | Wayside, Mississippi, United States | Glen Allan Flying Service, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 27 Feb 1996 | Rockwell S-2R | Winchester, Arkansas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 May 1996 | Rockwell S-2R | Lost Hills, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jun 1997 | Piper PA-18 | Clovis, New Mexico, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jan 1997 | Beechcraft 95-B55 | Mayhill, New Mexico, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 3 Feb 1997 | Aeronca 65-TC | Moriarty, New Mexico, United States | William A. Essenburg | Fatal | 2 |
| 15 Feb 1997 | Piper PA-24-250 | Farmington, New Mexico, United States | - | Fatal | 5 |
| 6 Oct 1997 | Aerostar S-60A | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Ronald E. Hensley | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 1997 | Schempp-Hirth VENTUS-2B | Hobbs, New Mexico, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |