Probable cause
The pilot's decision to land the airplane with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities.
NTSB analysis
During the landing, the airplane encountered a strong, gusting right crosswind. The pilot attempted to perform a go-around; however, the airplane ground-looped. The prevailing wind resulted in a right quartering tailwind with a gusting crosswind component of 23 knots. The maximum crosswind velocity for the accident airplane was 15 miles per hour; therefore, the calculated crosswind component exceeded the capability of the airplane. The pilot should not have landed with a crosswind that exceeded the airplane's capabilities. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA323 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 1, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hamlin, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Hamlin Municipal Airport (14F)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Rockwell International S-2R
- N-number
- N4946X
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.