# NTSB CHI98LA306: Rockwell S2R, N5524X, Kindred, ND, August 8, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1998, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Kindred, ND
- Coordinates: 46.649375, -97.020393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6494&lon=-97.0204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA306

## Probable cause

the pilot did not maintain clearance with obstructions along his flight path.

## 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
  - object - pole
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
- Fire, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot of the aerial application flight said he was following a curved piece of land while spraying.  He said the right wing collided with a 10-inch pole and the airplane cartwheeled and collided with trees, ending up in an inverted position.  He said he removed himself from the airplane and noticed it was on fire.  He said he called the fire department.  However, by the time the fire department arrived the airplane was totally consumed by the post-impact fire.

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1998, at 1110 central daylight time (cdt), a Rockwell Thrush S2R, N5524X, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during a collision with a power transmission pole, barbed wire fence, trees and post-impact fire while maneuvering for an aerial application swath run.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The pilot reported minor injuries.  The flight departed Kindred, North Dakota, at 1100 cdt.

According to the pilot's written statement, "...there was a curve around the trees I was trying to get.  Going northeast [I] hit a fence pole (10-inches [in] diameter) with the right wing in a slightly low attitude."  He said the collision with the pole pulled his right wing backward and into the ground.  The airplane "...continued tumbling and went upside down in the trees."  The pilot said he got out of the airplane, observed a fire near the firewall and called the fire department.  He said the "...airplane burnt up before the fire department got there."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5524X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5524X-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 1724R, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell S2R
- 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: 1734
- Airframe hours: 5600
- Engines: P&W 1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Air Kare, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1998
- Departed: 1ND3

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,300 total, 2,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 82 °F

## 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 19980808020139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980808020139A), Aug 8, 1998: Ayres S2R, Kindred, ND, Destroyed. Acft right wing became entangled in a barbwire fence during aerial application. (-23) pilot was flying northeast spraying sugar beet field on south edge next…

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.

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