# NTSB LAX95LA269: Rockwell S-2R, N5035X, Tulare, CA, July 26, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1995, 17:00 local (Jul 26, 1995, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Tulare, CA
- Coordinates: 36.179996, -119.360641 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1800&lon=-119.3606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA269

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to see and avoid power lines along his route of 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
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT COLLIDED WITH SOME POWER LINES DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. THE SKIES WERE CLEAR AND THE VISIBILITY WAS 10 MILES.  THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED.

## Factual narrative

On July 25, 1995, at 1700 hours Pacific daylight time, the pilot of a Rockwell International S-R, N5035X, collided with some power lines during an aerial application near Tulare, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was doing business as Pacific Crop Dusters under 14 CFR Part 135.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time with clear skies and a visibility of 10 miles.  The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot received fatal injuries.

There were no reported mechanical difficulties.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5035X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5035X-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 5067R, built 1976 (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: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5067R
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE-331 1475 lbs thrust turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Michael A. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1995

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 13,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIS

## 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 19950725022369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950725022369A), Jul 25, 1995: Ayres S2R, Tulare, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with power lines during a spray run.

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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