# NTSB SEA98LA138: Rockwell S-2R, N5036X, Burley, ID, July 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 1998, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Burley, ID - Coordinates: 42.390361, -113.779792 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3904&lon=-113.7798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43227/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA138 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) A failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other's aircraft due to inadequate visual lookout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The two agricultural airplanes collided in flight, and subsequently impacted terrain. Both aircraft were substantially damaged, and the pilot of each aircraft was fatally injured. The G-164B was heading to a job site with a load and the S-2R was returning from a job site empty. Visual meteorological conditions (clear skies and 30 miles visibility) prevailed. There were no witnesses to the crash. Evidence developed during on-scene investigation by FAA inspectors indicated that at the time of the collision, the S-2R was heading generally northeast and the G-164B was heading generally southeast. U.S. Naval Observatory astronomical data indicated that at Burley at 0800 on July 16, the azimuth of the sun was 076.9 degrees true, at an altitude of 17.6 degrees. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On July 16, 1998, approximately 0800 mountain daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R agricultural aircraft, N5036X, registered to Kinney Aviation Inc. (d/b/a Farm Dusters) of Missoula, Montana, and a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B agricultural aircraft, N6649K, registered to Farm Flite Inc. of Burley, Idaho, collided in flight approximately 12 miles northwest of Burley, Idaho. Both aircraft subsequently impacted terrain. Both aircraft were substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot-in-command of each aircraft was fatally injured. Available information indicated that at the time of the collision, both aircraft were operating under 14 CFR 91, with N6649K loaded and heading to a job site and N5036X empty and returning from a job site. Visual meteorological conditions (clear skies and 30 miles visibility) were reported at Burley at 0748, and neither aircraft had filed a flight plan. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident, although a loud crash was heard by an individual who was about 1/2 mile west of the crash site. He stated that he "heard a loud bang, then the motor reave [sic] up. Then a second bang." Evidence developed during on-scene investigation by FAA inspectors indicated that at the time of the collision, the S-2R monoplane was heading generally northeast and the G-164B biplane was heading generally southeast. U.S. Naval Observatory astronomical data indicated that at Burley at 0800 on July 16, the azimuth of the sun was 076.9 degrees true, at an altitude of 17.6 degrees. A map with the relative locations of the fields undergoing aerial application, airstrips being used, and the wreckage locations is attached. It was reported that the G-164B pilot was using the Hoard private airstrip near Kimama Butte, and was en route to spray the Patterson field on 850 West street and 200 North; and the S-2R was returning from the Hunt field at 1450 West and 400 South to the Kinney private airstrip near Kimama, Idaho. Autopsies on both pilots were performed under the authority of the Minidoka County Coroner, Rupert, Idaho. The autopsy on the S-2R pilot was performed at the necropsy lab of Snake River Pathology Laboratory, Burley, Idaho, on July 16, 1998. The cause of the S-2R pilot's death was found to be internal injuries secondary to impact, with the manner of death classified as accidental. At the time this factual report was submitted, the NTSB had not received an autopsy report on the G-164B pilot, and the Minidoka County Coroner reported to the NTSB that he had not yet received the autopsy report on the G-164B pilot from the pathologist. Toxicological testing on both pilots was performed by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Toxicological testing of the S-2R pilot was negative for ethanol and drugs. Carbon monoxide and cyanide testing were not performed on the S-2R pilot due to lack of suitable specimens. Toxicological testing of the G-164B pilot was negative for ethanol, drugs, carbon monoxide, and cyanide. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N5036X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5036X-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 5068R, 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: 5086R - Airframe hours: 8090 - Engines: Curtis Wright R-1820-97 1200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kinney Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1997, 200 hours before - Departed: BURLEY, ID ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N6649K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6649K-1999-09-09), registration cancelled 1999-09-09, S/N 405B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 405B - Airframe hours: 8500 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Farm Flite Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1997, 300 hours before - Departed: BURLEY, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N5036X; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,210 total - Pilot, aircraft N6649K; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BYI ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980716016681A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980716016681A), Jul 16, 1998: Ayres S2R, Burley, ID, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Collided with company G164B while returning reload. Company N6649K enroute to spray field with full load. (.4)the two agricultural airplanes collided in… - [Accident 19980716016682A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980716016682A), Jul 16, 1998: Scwzer G164B, Burley, ID, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Enroute to spray collided with company S2R N5036X that was returning to base to reloads. (.4)the two agricultural airplanes collided in flight, and… 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.