Rockwell International S-2R accident near Needville, Texas, June 10, 2004
On June 10, 2004 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Rockwell International S-2R, registered N4968X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Needville, 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
The loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight fire for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 2004 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Needville, 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
- N4968X · no longer on the register · serial 5013R
- 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 26,400-hour pilot reported that while maneuvering at an altitude of 110 feet above ground level while performing an aerial application on a field, the engine "blew," and he noticed that "the propellers did not feather." The pilot stated that during the forced landing, an in-flight fire ensued. After landing in an open field, the pilot evacuated the airplane and noted that the airplane was still on fire. Examination of the remaining portion of the engine revealed that the first and second stage turbine wheel, first and third stage stator, and the stator liner and assembly were fire damaged. No anomalies were observed during the examination. The reason for the loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight fire was undetermined.
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: 26,400 hours in all; 5,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 17, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,024 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 2, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett-Airesearch TPE-331-1-151 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Eagle Lake TX at 12:53 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
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.
Other NTSB records under N4968X 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.