Rockwell International S2R-G6 accident near Mission, Texas, December 6, 2022
On December 6, 2022 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1974 Rockwell International S2R-G6, registered N4205X, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Mission, Texas (Mid-Valley Dusters Inc. Airpor airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an electrical box.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 6, 2022 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mission, Texas · Mid-Valley Dusters Inc. Airpor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International S2R-G6, built 1974 · all S2R-G6s on the register
- Registration
- N4205X · registry record · serial 1968R
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A company representative reported that the airplane impacted an unknown object during an aerial application flight. After landing, substantial damage to the left wing was discovered. Following a brief search, a damaged electrical box was found dislodged from its base with yellow paint on one side that was consistent with the color of the airplane's left wing. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not supply a statement regarding the collision or the circumstances.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wall/barricade › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Last flight review: February 1, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,571 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett TPE331-6-252B (turboprop); 8,344 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 43TX Alamo TX at 2:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 700 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 2995.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:30 am from KMFE
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KMFE 061409Z 15008KT 10SM FEW007 21/20 A2995 RMK AO2 T02110200
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 4, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.