NTSB Factual Report

On July 31, 2001, at 1100 central daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N5551X, operated by Ice Spray Service, was destroyed on impact with terrain following an in flight collision with a power line. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight was not operating on a flight plan. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The local flight originated from the Pierre Regional Airport, Pierre, South Dakota at approximately 1030.

The pilot reported in a written statement, "Flight departed Pierre, S.D. airport about 10:30 AM to spray a field of sunflowers for insects, about 5 miles north of the Prierre Airport. This field has a power transmission line throught the field. The poles are over 200 feet high, so we fly under the wires. I was a little high and the rudder hit the line, tearing the rudder completely off and damaging the fin. I could not control the aircraft, so I shut it off and put it on the ground. It was heading for a house, but by putting it on the ground, I missed the house. it happened about 10:50 AM after several passes under the wire. I escaped with a sprained ankle.

NTSB Probable Cause

clearance not obtained by the pilot. A contributing factor was the transmission line.