Rockwell International S-2R accident near Sabinal, Texas, June 28, 2001
On June 28, 2001 at about 11:35 am local time, a Rockwell International S-2R, registered N4888X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sabinal, Texas. 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
a loss of engine power due to a crack in the #9 cylinder, which result in the failure of the connecting rod during the aerial application flight. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2001 · about 11:35 am local time
- Place
- Sabinal, Texas · 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
- N4888X · no longer on the register · serial 2072R
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While maneuvering after completing a spray pass, the pilot heard a "loud pop," and the agricultural airplane's engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a clearing in a field. During the forced landing, the airplane touched down and bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The operator stated that an examination of the engine revealed that #9 cylinder had cracked, and subsequently, a connecting rod failed.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,475 hours in all; 824 in this make and model; 362 in the last 90 days; 167 in the last 30 days; 1,420 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 12, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 27, 2000
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R1340 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HDO Hondo TX at 11:10 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 600 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 am from HDO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.