Rockwell S-2R accident near Bristol, South Dakota, July 5, 2005
On July 5, 2005 at about 1:26 pm local time, a Rockwell S-2R, registered N3211R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bristol, South Dakota. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the static lines between the transmission towers. A factor associated with the accident were the static lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 2005 · about 1:26 pm local time
- Place
- Bristol, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S-2R
- Registration
- N3211R · registry record · serial 5100R
- 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 collided with static lines during an aerial application flight. A witness to the accident reported seeing the airplane flying to the north-northeast, almost paralleling the power lines. The airplane then made a turn and contacted the power lines. The witness reported seeing the airplane in a left bank, but was not sure if the bank occurred prior to or after the airplane contacted the power lines. The airplane then descended to the ground. The static lines were strung between steel towers that are approximately 100 feet in height. Each tower has two static lines that are strung along the tops of the towers, each supported by its own arm of the tower. There are three main transmission lines running between the towers that are located below the static lines. One of the static lines was severed and the other was disconnected at the tower. The airplane came to rest inverted in a slough approximately 30 to 40 yards north-northwest of the power lines. The outboard section of the right wing was bent downward and the right wing section of the spray boom was separated from the airplane. One propeller blade contained a leading edge gouges similar in diameter to the static line. The right main gear was separated from the airplane and was located near the tower 24-373. The gear strut contained a series of impressions consistent with contact with the static line.
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: 7,100 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,933 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-15AG (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Dakota Air Spray INC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Bristol SD at 1:05 pm
- Destination: Bristol SD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from ABR, 35 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.