# NTSB CHI01LA251: Aero Commander S2R, N5551X, Pierre, SD, July 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2001, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Pierre, SD - Coordinates: 44.369743, -100.320106 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3697&lon=-100.3201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52891 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52891/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA251 ## Probable cause clearance not obtained by the pilot. A contributing factor was the transmission line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - vertical stabilizer - tear/torn ## Analysis The airplane struck a transmission line while spraying a field. The pilot/owner of the agricultural operator made several passes under the transmission line prior to the strike. He stated that he was "a little high" when the airplane's rudder struck the transmission line tearing the rudder completely off and damaging the vertical stabilizer. He also added that he could not control the airplane following the strike and forced the airplane down in attempt to avoid hitting a house. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2001, at 1100 central daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N5551X, operated by Ice Spray Service, was destroyed on impact with terrain following an in flight collision with a power line. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight was not operating on a flight plan. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The local flight originated from the Pierre Regional Airport, Pierre, South Dakota at approximately 1030. The pilot reported in a written statement, "Flight departed Pierre, S.D. airport about 10:30 AM to spray a field of sunflowers for insects, about 5 miles north of the Prierre Airport. This field has a power transmission line throught the field. The poles are over 200 feet high, so we fly under the wires. I was a little high and the rudder hit the line, tearing the rudder completely off and damaging the fin. I could not control the aircraft, so I shut it off and put it on the ground. It was heading for a house, but by putting it on the ground, I missed the house. it happened about 10:50 AM after several passes under the wire. I escaped with a sprained ankle. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5551X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5551X), registered now, S/N 1751R, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander S2R - Registry model: [Aero Commander S2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-s2r) (registry code 0143022) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1751R - Airframe hours: 8479 - Engines: P&W R1340AN1 600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Ice Spray Service, doing business as Ice Spray Service - Registered owner: Cecil G. Ice - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 2001, 37 hours before - Departed: PIR, Pierre, SD - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 1, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 41,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: PIR, 5 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 20010731017959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010731017959A), Jul 31, 2001: Ayres S2R, Pierre, SD, No damage. (-23) On July 31, 2001, at 1100 central daylight time, a thrush S2R, N5551X, owned and piloted by cecil ice of Pierre, SD, a commercial pilot, was… 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.