# NTSB CEN12CA533: Thrush S-2R, N5596X, Newkirk, OK, August 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 7, 2012, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Newkirk, OK - Coordinates: 36.95, -96.951942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9500&lon=-96.9519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Oklahoma City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA533 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84618/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84618 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA533 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Sensory ability/limitation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011500): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011500/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011500/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an aerial application flight over a river, the pilot was spreading seed when the airplane struck and severed all four wires of an electrical transmission power line. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted tall vegetation. The fuselage, empennage, and both wings were substantially damaged. According to the pilot and photographs of the area, neither the transmission wires nor the poles were visible above the tree line adjacent to the river banks. The pilot stated that he had been warned about the transmission lines that extended over the river and should have located them before the application portion of the flight began. ## Factual narrative During an aerial application flight over a river, the pilot was spreading seed when the airplane struck and severed all four wires of an electrical transmission power line. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted tall vegetation. The fuselage, empennage, and both wings were substantially damaged. According to the pilot and photographs of the area, neither the transmission wires nor the poles were visible above the tree line, adjacent to the river banks. The pilot stated that he had been warned about the transmission lines that extended over the river and should have located them before the application portion of the flight began. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5596X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5596X), registered now, S/N 5095R, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THRUSH AIRCRAFT INC S-2R - Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright R-1300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1300-series) (registry code 67060, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5095R - Airframe hours: 10141 - Engines: WALTER M601E-11 751 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bluestem Aerial Sprayers LLC - Registered owner: Skyler Blue LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2012 - Departed: Newkirk, OK - Destination: OK48, Newkirk, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 11, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 4,613 total, 1,586 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KPNC, 14 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120807017609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120807017609A), Aug 7, 2012: Rockwell International S-2R, Newkirk, OK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was in cruise phase of flight seeding near a river. While going along the river during the operation the pilot struck power lines.… ## Other investigations on N5596X (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC06CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA055), May 18, 2006: Rockwell International S-2R (N5596X), Perry, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane before fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a loss of engine power while maneuvering, and a subsequent forced landing and collision with trees. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84618. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.