Rockwell International S 2R accident near Washtucna, Washington, June 16, 2015
On June 16, 2015 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 1976 Rockwell International S 2R, registered N8420V, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Washtucna, Washington (Kinch Farms airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a quartering tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2015 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Washtucna, Washington · Kinch Farms · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International S 2R UNDESIGNAT, built 1976 · all S 2Rs on the register
- Registration
- N8420V · no longer on the register · serial 2180R
- 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 reported that, during the landing, the wind shifted to a quartering tailwind. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane veered left off the airstrip into an adjacent field. The airplane subsequently nosed over in the soft soil. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Not specified
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,819 hours in all; 29 in this make and model
- Last flight review: December 31, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,991 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 2015; 29 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney R1340-S3H1G (piston); 8,666 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WN72 Washtucna WA
- Destination: WN72 Washtucna WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 2,500 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:52 pm from KMWH, 46 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 N8420V 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.