Rockwell S-2R accident near Colusa, California, May 9, 1985
On May 9, 1985 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Rockwell S-2R, registered N8929Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Colusa, California (Closby airport). 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
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 1985 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Colusa, California · Closby · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S-2R
- Registration
- N8929Q · registry record · serial 2354R
- 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 AN AG FLIGHT, THE ENG BEGAN TO SEVERLY BACKFIRE & LOSE POWER. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LDG ON THE NEARBY DUSTER AIRSTRIP BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO BE PROPERLY ALIGNED WITH THE RWY. THE ACFT OVERAN THE EDGE OF THE END DISCLOSED THAT ITS #9 CYK EXHAUST VALVE BOSS HAD BROKEN CAUSING VALVE ACTION TO STOP. THE ENG HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR 30 HRS SINCE RECEIVING A MOH.
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; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 8,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, April 6, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 7,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R1340 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Colusa CA at 7:58 pm
- Destination: Colusa CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,600 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.