# NTSB MKC87LA164: Rockwell S-2R, N4949X, Mediapolis, IA, August 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1987, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Mediapolis, IA
- Coordinates: 41.000488, -91.160728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0005&lon=-91.1607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA164

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FIELD TO BE SPRAYED APPEARED SAFE ENOUGH WHEN HE FLEW A RECON FLIGHT OVER THE AREA THE DAY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE STATED THAT HE DIDN'T EXPECT THE POWER TRANSMISSION LINES TO BE SO LOW, AND THAT HE DID NOT SEE A RISE IN THE CULTIVATED TERRAIN JUST UNDER THE POWERLINES. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, AS THE PILOT FLEW UNDER THE LINES AND OVER THE HUMP IN THE CORNFIELD, THE RIGHT SPRAY BOOM SNAGGED THE CORN, PULLING THE RIGHT WING DOWN. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SWERVED 180 DEGREES AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN BEFORE COMING TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4949X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4949X), registered now, S/N 5010R, built 1975 (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: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5010R
- Airframe hours: 2181
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Raymond W. Breazeale
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1987, 54 hours before
- Departed: MPZ, MEDIAPOLIS, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 2,183 in this make and model, 14,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 185° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19870815045769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870815045769A), Aug 15, 1987: Ayres S2RRESTD, Mediapolis, IA, Substantial damage. The agricultural spray aircraft struck tall corn and impacted the ground. The pilot was flying under a powerline.

## Other investigations on N4949X (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 MKC86LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA091), Apr 17, 1986: Rockwell S-2R (N4949X), Salem, IA, substantial damage

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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