Rockwell International S-2R accident near Uvalde, Texas, September 1, 2008
On September 1, 2008 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Rockwell International S-2R, registered N8472V, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Uvalde, Texas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 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
A total loss of engine power due to the improper use of unauthorized replacement parts in the engine and repeated operation of the engine in an over-temperature condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 1, 2008 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Uvalde, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International S-2R · all S-2Rs on the register
- Registration
- N8472V · registry record · serial 2232R
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The engine of the agricultural airplane lost power while it was maneuvering at low altitude. The airplane impacted thick vegetation and terrain, causing substantial damage to the right wing, nose and tail. A subsequent teardown examination of the engine showed little evidence that the engine was operating at the time of impact, but the ingestion of vegetation into the combustor and the torsional failure of the torsion shaft suggests that there was some rotation of the engine at the time of impact. The engine examination also revealed that several turbine rotors had damage and missing blade material due to short term operation of the engine at an over temperature condition. There was evidence that the rotors had been operating for several hours after the over temperature event that caused the stress rupture of the blades. Further, the examination showed that the first stage turbine rotor and the prop pitch control cam did not conform to Honeywell specifications and were not authorized replacement parts, and a previous weld repair on the engine combustor plenum did not conform to standard practices for weld repairs on aerospace parts.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › Turbine section › Damaged/degraded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › Turbine section › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › (general) › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › Return to service › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Unauthorized maint/repair › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,300 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 400 in the last 90 days; 150 in the last 30 days; 2,220 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 18, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,935 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 14, 2008; 432 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell Garrett TPE 331-1-151 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4TS8 D'Hanis TX
- Destination: 4TS8 D'Hanis TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 6:28 pm from KUVA, 10 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 N8472V 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.