NTSB Factual Report

On June 28, 2016, about 2115 Pacific daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, airplane, N4952X, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Brawley Municipal Airport (BWC), Brawley, California. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to the Bank of Utah and operated by Farm Aviation Inc, of Brawley, California as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time.

The pilot reported that after the pre-flight examination was accomplished, the airplane was started and the tanker loaded the airplane with diluted chemical. The airplane was then taxied to the west end of the runway for a departure to the east. The airplane took off normal and began to climb and attained an altitude of about 100 to 125 ft above ground level when the pilot decreased engine power so as not to red line the rpm. At this point, the pilot leveled off the airplane, pushed the nose over to gain airspeed, and adjusted the flaps to try and increase lift. As he increased engine power, the airplane started descending. Unable to maintain altitude, a forced landing was initiated that involved a right turn due to power transfer wires and roads in the area. During the landing the right wing impacted terrain and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane began sliding on its fuselage, spinning to the right, before coming to rest in a northerly direction. The pilot reported that he didn't dump the chemical load during the descent because he just didn't have the time. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane but thought that he had too much of a load.

An onsite examination of the airplane, which was conducted by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed that the right wing was buckled near the tip, and the landing gear was crushed underneath the wings. The fuel system was intact, and no fuel leaks were noted. The propeller blades had impact damage consistent with power during impact with the ground. The postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

According to the owner, the airplane departed with 350 gallons of chemicals in the hopper. He also stated that the airplane's previous flight was the night before and it flew with no issues. The accident airplane was refueled before takeoff on the accident flight and had about 65 gallons of fuel onboard. Aircraft gross weight is 5,333 lbs and the weight at the time of the accident was 4,700 lbs. Data was pulled from the engine monitoring system and revealed that the engine was producing power throughout the accident sequence.

The closest weather reporting station was located at Imperial County Airport (IPL), Imperial, California, located about 10 miles to the southwest of the accident site. At 2053, the weather reported as wind from 230o at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 11,000 ft, temperature 39° C, dew point 12° C, altimeter 29.70 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane’s inability to climb and subsequent impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.