- Date
- August 2, 2003, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place
- Mitchell, SD
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N4923XRockwell International S-2R
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 2, 2004
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20030802016099A
- Case key
- 57631
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and not maintaining clearance from the power line during the low level aerial application maneuver. A related factor was the power line.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The airplane was destroyed following an in-flight collision with power lines during a low-level aerial application pass. The airplane subsequently impacted a tree and terrain. The airplane was burned in a post-impact ground fire. The pilot reported that he circled to look for obstacles and then started spraying. He said that his airplane's main landing gear caught the wires that ran through the middle of the field. He stated that he lost control of the aircraft and it impacted a tree and terrain. After exiting the airplane, it subsequently burst into flames. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. His recommendation was, "Take ample time to observe all obstacles and give them respect."
Factual narrative
On August 2, 2003, about 0740 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R, N4923X, was destroyed following an in-flight collision with power lines during an aerial application flight near Mitchell, South Dakota. The airplane subsequently impacted a tree and terrain and burned in a post-impact ground fire. The pilot reported minor injuries. The aerial application flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated from MJ Aviation Airport I, near Letcher, South Dakota, at 0700.
The pilot reported that he circled the field to look for obstacles and then started spraying. He said that his airplane's main landing gear caught the wires that ran through the middle of the field. He stated:
I proceeded forward straight [and] level across I-90 until [the] wires broke.
At this time I lost control hit a tree and crashed at approximately
7:40 AM. I [immediately] removed seatbelt, helmet, and evacuated
aircraft. I ran up to house got owner to call 911 and washed chemical
off my skin with garden hose. At this time aircraft burst into flames,
which were extinguished by Mitchell Fire [and] Rescue.
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. His recommendation was, "Take ample time to observe all obstacles and give them respect."
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4923X
- Reported as
- Rockwell International S-2R
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 2119R
- Airframe hours
- 7,441
- Engine
- Pratt & Whitney R-1340-ANI, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- M J Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 1, 2003 · 285 hours before
- Departed
- SD01 · Letcher, SD
- Destination
- SD01 · Letcher, SD
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 31
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Last flight review
- January 12, 2003
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 1,524 total · 947 in this make and model · 1,409 as pilot in command · 302 in the last 90 days · 128 in the last 30 days · 8 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.02 inHg
- Observed at
- MHE, 8 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.
Other investigations on N4923X · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.