Rockwell S-2R accident near Glenns Ferry, Idaho, July 4, 1987
On July 4, 1987, a Rockwell S-2R, registered N5580X, was destroyed in an accident near Glenns Ferry, Idaho (Grindstone airport). 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 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
- July 4, 1987
- Place
- Glenns Ferry, Idaho · Grindstone · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell S-2R
- Registration
- N5580X · no longer on the register · serial 5087R
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING TAKEOFF WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND ABOUT 3/4 WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFTS MAIN GEAR CAUGHT ON A FENCE AND TALL WHEAT WITH THE AIRCRAFT COMING TO REST INVERTED. A FIRE ERUPTED CONSUMING THE AIRCRAFT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 4900 FEET.
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: 2,183 hours in all; 36 in this make and model; 271 in the last 90 days; 2,122 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,149 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 2, 1987
- Maximum gross weight: 7,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R1340 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Clarks Air Service
The flight
- Departed from: Glenns Ferry ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,800 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; scat
- Temperature: 81°F (27°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.