# NTSB CHI05CA183: Rockwell S-2R, N4232X, Guelph, ND, July 12, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2005, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Guelph, ND - Coordinates: 46.016666, -98.233329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0167&lon=-98.2333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Fargo FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62020 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62020/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA183 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance to the guy wire during the agricultural application pass. Contributing factors were the guy wire, and low altitude flight. ## 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 maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - guy wire (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a guy wire during an agricultural application pass. The pilot reported that prior to the application passes, he circled the field 3 times, "checking for obstructions and assessing the safest manner to complete this application." He noted that he observed power lines running along the north end of the field and he decided to fly parallel to the lines. He stated that during the last pass of the field, adjacent to the power lines, he did not see the guy wire attached to the second to last set of power line poles. He reported that the right wing struck the guy wire, severing about 4 feet of the wing. He noted that the airplane "jerked" to the right and pitched upward. He reported: "At this point I was underneath the wires, [sliding] sideways through the air. I fought to get the nose level. Then the nose pitched down and I [impacted] into the slough in about 3 feet of water." ## Factual narrative On July 12, 2005, at 1730 central daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R, N4232X, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a guy wire while completing an agricultural application pass near Guelph, North Dakota. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The local agricultural application flight departed Oakes Municipal Airport (2D5), Oakes, North Dakota, approximately 1645. In his written statement, the pilot reported that prior to the application passes he circled the field 3 times "checking for obstructions." He noted that he observed power lines running along the north end of the field and he decided to fly parallel to the lines. He stated that during the last pass of the field, adjacent to the power lines, he did not see the guy wire attached to the second to last set of power line poles. He reported that the right wing struck the guy wire, severing about 4 feet of the wing. He noted that the airplane "jerked" to the right and pitched upward. He reported: "At this point I was underneath the wires, [sliding] sideways through the air. I fought to get the nose level. Then the nose pitched down and I [impacted] into the slough in about 3 feet of water." The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane prior to the accident. He also reported clear skies and "unlimited" visibility at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4232X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4232X-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 2000R, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell S-2R - 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: 2000R - Airframe hours: 8144 - Engines: Garrett TPE331-6-252M 715 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2005, 163 hours before - Departed: 2D5, Oakes, ND - Airport: 2D5, Oakes Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 6,208 total, 3,347 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: ABR, 46 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 20050712022859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050712022859A), Jul 12, 2005: Ayres S2R, Guelph, ND, Destroyed. (-23) This aircraft was being operated in accordance with 14 VFR part 137, applying chemical to a field. The pilot reported hitting a guy wire supporting a… ## Other investigations on N4232X (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 CHI98LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA241), Jul 7, 1998: Rockwell S-2R (N4232X), Fort Ransom, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's failure to ensure the airplane had enough fuel to complete the flight, and the fence. 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.