Rockwell S-2R accident near Mendota, California, August 13, 1987
On August 13, 1987 at about 2:12 pm local time, a Rockwell S-2R, registered N4219X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mendota, California (Mendota airport). 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 1987 · about 2:12 pm local time
- Place
- Mendota, California · Mendota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S-2R
- Registration
- N4219X · registry record · serial 1978R
- 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 GROUND FLAGMAN REPORTED THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED SPRAYING THE BEAN FIELD. THE PILOT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DOING A TOUCH-UP APPLICATION WHEN HE FLEW UNDER THE POWER LINES. THE AIRPLANE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE LOWEST OF THE 4 POWERLINES, ROLLED INVERTED AND CRASHED. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE RIGHT WING WAS UP AT THE TIME IT STRUCK THE POWER LINE. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRPLANE PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WAS FOUND.
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: 7,014 hours in all; 1,250 in this make and model; 7,014 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 1987; 244 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Vance Agcraft, INC
The flight
- Departed from: Mendota CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.