Rockwell S-2R N4923X

Summary

On 2 August 2003 at about 12:40 local time, a Rockwell S-2R registered N4923X was involved in an accident near Mitchell, South Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 August 2003 at 12:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Mitchell, South Dakota, United States

Coordinates

43.7299, -98.0303

Aircraft

Rockwell S-2R

Registration

N4923X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Letcher → Letcher

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03LA243

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and not maintaining clearance from the power line during the low level aerial application maneuver. A related factor was the power line.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was destroyed following an in-flight collision with power lines during a low-level aerial application pass. The airplane subsequently impacted a tree and terrain. The airplane was burned in a post-impact ground fire. The pilot reported that he circled to look for obstacles and then started spraying. He said that his airplane's main landing gear caught the wires that ran through the middle of the field. He stated that he lost control of the aircraft and it impacted a tree and terrain. After exiting the airplane, it subsequently burst into flames. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. His recommendation was, "Take ample time to observe all obstacles and give them respect."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.