# NTSB CEN14CA442: Rockwell International S 2R, N9646A, Kerkhoven, MN, August 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2014, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Kerkhoven, MN - Coordinates: 45.167221, -95.308334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1672&lon=-95.3083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA442 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89920/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89920 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA442 ## Probable cause The pilot failure to see and avoid the guide wire during the aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; 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) - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative; cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/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: 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 engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 The pilot stated he flew over the field to identify obstructions prior to beginning the spray passes. He noted a hog farm and powerline wires on the southwest side of the field so he decided to spray the field in a north/south pattern. The pilot began spraying on the east side of the field, and during the second pass, the airplane contacted a guide wire that extended from the row of powerlines, which paralleled his flight path. The pilot stated he did not see the guide wire while looking for obstructions. Upon hitting the wire, the engine lost power and the propeller appeared to feather. The pilot tried to gain altitude and was able to dump the remaining chemical load prior to the airplane impacting a corn field about ¾ of a mile from where it contacted the wire. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there was no mechanical failure/malfunction of the airplane prior to contacting the wire. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he flew over the field to identify obstructions prior to beginning the spray passes. He noted a hog farm and powerline wires on the southwest side of the field so he decided to spray the field in a north/south pattern. The pilot began spraying on the east side of the field, and during the second pass, the airplane contacted a guide wire that extended from the row of powerlines, which paralleled his flight path. The pilot stated he did not see the guide wire while looking for obstructions. Upon hitting the wire, the engine lost power and the propeller appeared to feather. The pilot tried to gain altitude and was able to dump the remaining chemical load prior to the airplane impacting a corn field about ¾ of a mile from where it contacted the wire. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there was no mechanical failure/malfunction of the airplane prior to contacting the wire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9646A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9646A), registered now, S/N 1824R (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL S 2R (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1824R - Airframe hours: 2987 - Engines: Allied Signal TPE331 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Benson Air Ag Inc - Registered owner: Benson Air Ag Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2014 - Departed: BBB, Benson, MN - Destination: BBB, Benson, MN - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 14,350 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: BDH, 9 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 20140819013579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140819013579A), Aug 19, 2014: Rockwell International S-2R, Kerkhoven, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot was making his second pass on a north/south line which bordered a small power line. As he began his run, the aircraft struck a guide wire with the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89920. 405 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 386 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-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.