Rockwell S-2R accident near Bancroft, Wisconsin, May 10, 2002
On May 10, 2002 at about 11:50 pm local time, a Rockwell S-2R, registered N4224X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bancroft, Wisconsin. 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 loss of engine power due to contamination of the fuel system from an unknown source and the blocked fuel filter. The rough terrain was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 2002 · about 11:50 pm local time
- Place
- Bancroft, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S-2R
- Registration
- N4224X · registry record · serial 1985R
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane nosed over during a forced landing due to a loss of engine power. The pilot stated he sumped the fuel tanks before the flight. Subsequent to the accident, sediment contamination from an unknown source was found in the main fuel tank and fuel filter. No other anomalies were found with respect to the airframe, engine or systems that could be identified as existing prior to impact.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: April 6, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,578 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 11, 2002; 3.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,027 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1-G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Bancroft WI at 11:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 pm from KISW, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.