Rockwell S-2D accident near Bancroft, Wisconsin, July 31, 1996
On July 31, 1996, a Rockwell S-2D, registered N1768S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bancroft, Wisconsin (Private Airstrip airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground swerve, encounter with soft/sandy terrain, and a subsequent noseover. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's selection of the wrong runway, and the resultant tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 1996
- Place
- Bancroft, Wisconsin · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S-2D
- Registration
- N1768S · no longer on the register · serial 600-1415D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot landed on runway 18 with a tailwind from 340 degrees at 6 gusting 11 knots. He reported that the airplane veered to the right and existed the runway. The pilot tried to correct the airplane, but was not successful. The airplane then encountered a soft sandy shoulder and nosed over.
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: 420 hours in all; 74 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 330 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,000 ft by 10 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 6 knots, gusting 11
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft; scat at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from CWA, 32 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.