Rockwell International S-2R accident near Hamlin, Texas, June 1, 2013
On June 1, 2013 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Rockwell International S-2R, registered N4946X, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Hamlin, Texas (Hamlin Municipal Airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to land the airplane with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 2013 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hamlin, Texas · Hamlin Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International S-2R · all S-2Rs on the register
- Registration
- N4946X · no longer on the register · serial 5007R
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the landing, the airplane encountered a strong, gusting right crosswind. The pilot attempted to perform a go-around; however, the airplane ground-looped. The prevailing wind resulted in a right quartering tailwind with a gusting crosswind component of 23 knots. The maximum crosswind velocity for the accident airplane was 15 miles per hour; therefore, the calculated crosswind component exceeded the capability of the airplane. The pilot should not have landed with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 738 hours in all; 318 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 725 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 3, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,956 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 27, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell TPE-331-1-101 (turboprop); 8,646 hours total
- Operator: Tri County Sprayers INC
The flight
- Departed from: 14F Hamlin TX at 2:25 pm
- Destination: 14F Hamlin TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 3,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 23 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from SWW, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N4946X the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.