- Date
- July 6, 2004, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place
- Jonesville, LA
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N8486VRockwell S-2R
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 28, 2004
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20040706017909A
- Case key
- 59564
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 failure to maintain clearance with the power lines.
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 13,000-hour pilot reported that during an aerial application flight, the engine suffered a partial loss of power. The pilot initiated a turn toward the nearest airport to conduct a precautionary landing, when the airplane struck a power line. The pilot was able to land the airplane at the airport without further incident. The pilot stated that he did not see the power line prior to hitting it.
Factual narrative
On July 6, 2004, at 1345 central daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R agricultural single-engine airplane, N8486V, was substantially damaged upon collision with power lines while maneuvering near Jonesville, Louisiana. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the Wilmot Flying Service, Inc., of Wilmot, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was reported to have originated from a private airstrip near Wisner, Louisiana, at 1315.
The 13,000-hour pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, that while spraying under a boll weevil eradication contract, the engine blower malfunctioned, resulting in a partial loss of engine power. The pilot added that he was only able to obtain a maximum of 29 inches of manifold pressure from the Pratt & Whitney R1340 radial engine with the throttle in the full-open position, so he elected to head for the nearest airport.
As the pilot initiated a turn toward the airport at the reduced power setting, the wire-cutter equipped airplane collided and cut a 1/2-inch power line which the pilot had not seen. The pilot managed to fly the airplane 5.5 miles to the Jonesville Airport, and landed without further incident.
Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed structural damage to both wings, substantial damage to the cockpit area including the roll cage, as well as damage to the propeller, engine cowling and landing gear. The condition of the engine blower could not be established; however, the pilot reported unusually heavy oil streaks throughout the belly of the airplane.
A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received from either the pilot or operator.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8486V
- Reported as
- Rockwell S-2R
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 2246R
- Engine
- Pratt & Whitney R1340, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Wilmot Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed
- LS35 · Wissner, LA
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
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 13,000 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.