# NTSB ATL83LA229: Ayres S-2R, N30878, Arlington, GA, June 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1983, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, GA
- Location: 31.4155° N, 84.7130° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ANDREWS (4GA8), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4155&lon=-84.7130&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA229

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Fire, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - fluid,fuel - leak
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ACFT HAD NEARLY REACHED ITS LIFT-OFF SPEED WHEN THE ENG BACKFIRED. THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ENG, DUMPED THE CHEMICALS & STOPPED ON THE RWY. HE THEN EXITED THE ACFT. AS HE WALKED AROUND THE ACFT, HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. HE OPENED THE COWLING TO INSPECT THE ENG & A BLAZE BROKE OUT. THE ACFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED BY FIRE. DUE TO THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION, THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30878 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ayres S-2R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1820-22DC
- Airframe hours: 483
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-97 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Farm Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: 4GA8, Arlington, runway 18, 3,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,331 total, 522 in this make and model, 2,198 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 27 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830615025899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830615025899A), Jun 15, 1983: Ayres S2RRESTD, Arlington, GA, Destroyed. Engine backfired on the takeoff roll. Aborted and stopped on the runway. Fuel leak noted. Engine fire erupted.

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.

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