Rockwell International S 2R accident near Brawley, California, June 29, 2016
On June 29, 2016 at about 4:15 am local time, a 1975 Rockwell International S 2R, registered N4952X, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Brawley, California (Brawley Muni 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 airplane’s inability to climb and subsequent impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2016 · about 4:15 am local time
- Place
- Brawley, California · Brawley Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International S 2R UNDESIGNAT, built 1975 · all S 2Rs on the register
- Registration
- N4952X · no longer on the register · serial 2160R
- 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 commercial pilot was departing on an agricultural application flight. After climbing to between 100 and 125 ft above ground level, he reduced engine power in order not to exceed red line. Soon after, the airplane stopped climbing and began to descend. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot initiated a forced landing, during which the right wing impacted terrain and the landing gear collapsed. A postaccident examination revealed no preimpact anomalies with the engine or airplane systems that would have precluded normal operation. A weight and balance calculation determined that the airplane was operating within its weight and balance limitations at the time of the accident. The reason for the airplane's inability to climb could not be determined based on the available information.
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 in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,575 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 1,460 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 12, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,503.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 20, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 5,333 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney pt6a-34ag (turboprop); 2,478 hours total
- Operator: Farm Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: BWC Brawley CA at 4:15 am
- Destination: BWC Brawley CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 4,402 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 102°F (39°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 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
6 documents, released by the NTSB on September 13, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Initial Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Brandon | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Sun and Moon Data | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.