Rockwell S2R R1340 accident near Keokuk, Iowa, July 12, 2020
On July 12, 2020 at about 4:10 pm local time, a 1990 Rockwell S2R R1340, registered N3104S, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Keokuk, Iowa. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper installation of a fuel vent line during maintenance, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2020 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- Keokuk, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S2R R1340 No Series, built 1990
- Registration
- N3104S · no longer on the register · serial R1340-025
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The agricultural airplane was on final approach to a planned fuel stop during the cross-country flight when the accident occurred. About 3-4 miles from the airport, the engine temperature surged then decreased. The engine stopped running and the pilot decided to land in a field, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. Examination of the airplane revealed a kinked rubber fuel vent line in the right wing. The line was creased across a structural beam, which restricted the air flow to the fuel tank. Just before the accident flight, the airplane was at a maintenance facility for repairs. During the repairs, the wings had been removed and replaced. The right wing’s fuel vent line was not installed properly. This most likely resulted in an air blockage and drop in fuel pressure as the fuel quantity was reduced during the 2.5-hour flight, resulting in the loss of engine power.
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
- Fuel related during approach defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 300 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 11, 2020; 7,157 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,200 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett TPE331-6 (turboprop); 7,157 hours total
- Operator: Wayson Air
The flight
- Departed from: M28 Hayti MO at 2:30 pm
- Destination: VTI Vinton IA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,600 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from EOK, 50 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on June 29, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum for the Record Pilot Statement Summary CEN20LA276 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record Wreckage Examination Findings CEN20LA276 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array CEN20LA276 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N3104S 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.