# Accident 19970507012869A: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Tonopah, AZ, May 7, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 7, 1997
- Place: Tonopah, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: ZFEG
- Location: 33.4294° N, 113.0494° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4294&lon=-113.0494&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4011G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4011G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Ayres S2R-T34 (registry code 0970106, https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A (registry code 52043, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2RT34NORMAL
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX97LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA182) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970507012869A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON MAY 7, 1997, AT 2030 HOURS MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME AN AYERS S2RT34, N4011G, EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AND MADE A SUBSEQUENT OFF AIRPORT LANDING NEAR TONOPAH, ARIZONA. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED AS AN AGRICULTURAL FLIGHT BY PIERCE AVIATION UNDER 14 CFR PART 137 WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED IN BUCKEYE, ARIZONA, AT 1930. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS EN ROUTE TO THE AGRICULTURAL STRIP WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD BUT STRUCK AN IRRIGATION DITCH DURING ROLLOUT. (.4) THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE BACK TO HIS LANDING STRIP AFTER NIGHT SPRAYING WHEN THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER. HE ALSO SAW FLAMES AND DEBRIS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST STACKS. THE CIRCUIT BREAKER POPPED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE WING LIGHTS SO HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH WITHOUT LIGHTS. DURING ROLLOUT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN UNSEEN IRRIGATION DITCH AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN INSPECTION SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HEAT AND BLADE DAMAGE TO THE POWER TURB                                  INE THE FUEL CONTROL ADJUSTMENT WAS FOUND IN THE FULL RICH POSITION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FOD TO THE COMPRESSOR ROTOR AND STATOR ASSEMBLIES. THE ENGINE HAD A HOT SECTION INSPECTION AS A RESULT OF A PREVIOUS SUDDEN ENGINE STOPPAGE INCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX97LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA182), May 8, 1997: Ayres S2R-T-34 (N4011G), Tonopah, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the power turbine due to an overtemperature condition created by an improperly adjusted fuel control. A factor in the accident was the tripped circuit breaker which prevented the wing…

## Other reports on N4011G (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19900313040479I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900313040479I), Mar 13, 1990: Ayres S2RT34RESTD (N4011G), Buckeye, AZ, Minor damage. Struck powerline during a spray run. Pilot stated he was caught in downdraft on run.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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