Thrush Aircraft, Inc. S-2R accident near Holtville, California, May 11, 2008
On May 11, 2008 at about 1:38 am local time, a Thrush Aircraft, Inc. S-2R, registered N8860Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Holtville, California. 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 oil pressure for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2008 · about 1:38 am local time
- Place
- Holtville, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Thrush Aircraft, Inc. S-2R
- Registration
- N8860Q · no longer on the register · serial 2345R
- 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 pilot was conducting an aerial application flight when he noticed a loss of available engine power. As he continued, he noticed a rapid increase in oil temperature and decrease in oil pressure and he could not sustain altitude. The pilot force-landed the airplane in a field. During the landing sequence, the engine separated from the airframe and the right wing was crushed. Post accident examination of the engine showed that it sustained internal thermal damage. No anomalies were noted with the oil system and the reason for the loss of oil pressure was not determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Eng oil sys (airframe furnish) › Pressure › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 6,400 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 250 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 6,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 26, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,402 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 3, 2008; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney R1340-2 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: D S Dusters INC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Holtville CA at 2:15 am
- Destination: PVT Holtville CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from KIPL, 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.
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.