Rockwell International S-2R accident near Paul, Idaho, June 3, 2023
On June 3, 2023 at about 4:40 pm local time, a 1974 Rockwell International S-2R, registered N4894X, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Paul, Idaho (Rocky Ridge airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on the takeoff roll, resulting in a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2023 · about 4:40 pm local time
- Place
- Paul, Idaho · Rocky Ridge · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International S-2R, built 1974 · all S-2Rs on the register
- Registration
- N4894X · no longer on the register · serial 2079R
- 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 pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane began to drift to the right. He applied left rudder correction; however, the airplane continued to drift right and exited the runway. The airplane continued over a small hill and became airborne. The pilot applied full power to maintain flight, and within a short distance, realized that the airplane was in an unusual attitude. He lowered the airplane’s nose, and the airplane contacted the ground. The left main landing gear and spreader separated from the airframe and the airplane came to rest upright, perpendicular to the runway. The left wing and aileron were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,109 hours in all; 873 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 2,039 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 25, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,935.5 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 27, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 9,265 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell/Garrett TPE331-10-511 (turboprop); 8,125 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway none, 3,250 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KBYI, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBYI 031653Z AUTO 23005KT 10SM CLR 18/09 A3008
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 20, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N4894X the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR23LA211.