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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 12, 2005 · Rockwell S-2R · N4232X

Guelph, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Guelph, ND
Aircraft
Rockwell S-2R
Tail Number
N4232X
Operator
Plath Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI05CA183

The airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a guy wire during an agricultural application pass. The pilot reported that prior to the application passes, he circled the field 3 times, "checking for obstructions and assessing the safest manner to complete this application." He noted that he observed power lines running along the north end of the field and he decided to fly parallel to the lines. He stated that during the last pass of the field, adjacent to the power lines, he did not see the guy wire attached to the second to last set of power line poles. He reported that the right wing struck the guy wire, severing about 4 feet of the wing. He noted that the airplane "jerked" to the right and pitched upward. He reported: "At this point I was underneath the wires, [sliding] sideways through the air. I fought to get the nose level. Then the nose pitched down and I [impacted] into the slough in about 3 feet of water."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance to the guy wire during the agricultural application pass. Contributing factors were the guy wire, and low altitude flight.

Full Narrative

On July 12, 2005, at 1730 central daylight time, a Rockwell S-2R, N4232X, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a guy wire while completing an agricultural application pass near Guelph, North Dakota. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The local agricultural application flight departed Oakes Municipal Airport (2D5), Oakes, North Dakota, approximately 1645. In his written statement, the pilot reported that prior to the application passes he circled the field 3 times "checking for obstructions." He noted that he observed power lines running along the north end of the field and he decided to fly parallel to the lines. He stated that during the last pass of the field, adjacent to the power lines, he did not see the guy wire attached to the second to last set of power line poles. He reported that the right wing struck the guy wire, severing about 4 feet of the wing. He noted that the airplane "jerked" to the right and pitched upward. He reported: "At this point I was underneath the wires, [sliding] sideways through the air. I fought to get the nose level. Then the nose pitched down and I [impacted] into the slough in about 3 feet of water." The pilot stated that there were no problems with the airplane prior to the accident. He also reported clear skies and "unlimited" visibility at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest AirportOakes Municipal (11nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell S-2R
Tail NumberN4232X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPlath Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE331-6-252M · Reciprocating · 715
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data