Rockwell International S-2R accident near Mitchell, South Dakota, August 2, 2003
On August 2, 2003 at about 12:40 pm local time, a Rockwell International S-2R, registered N4923X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mitchell, South Dakota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2003 · about 12:40 pm local time
- Place
- Mitchell, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International S-2R · all S-2Rs on the register
- Registration
- N4923X · no longer on the register · serial 2119R
- 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 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."
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
- Flight time: 1,524 hours in all; 947 in this make and model; 302 in the last 90 days; 128 in the last 30 days; 1,409 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 12, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,441 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2003; 285 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-ANI (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SD01 Letcher SD at 12:00 pm
- Destination: SD01 Letcher SD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 12:59 pm from MHE, 8 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.
Other NTSB records under N4923X the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.