# NTSB ATL92LA172: Ayres S-2R, N4007H, Douglas, GA, September 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1992, 20:30 local (Sep 4, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, GA
- Coordinates: 31.499664, -82.849822 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4997&lon=-82.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CHECK WEATHER PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS 5 MILES EAST OF DOUGLAS, WHEN THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED MODERATE RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT TO DOUGLAS AND ATTEMPTED TWO LANDINGS. AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE PILOT ABANDONED EFFORTS TO LAND AT DOUGLAS AND DEPARTED TO ALMA. RAIN REDUCED THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT, THEREFORE, AFTER LOCATING A LIGHTED PROMINENT LANDMARK, THE PILOT LANDED IN A NEARBY PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WHEN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT ALSO DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4007H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4007H), registered now, S/N 2512R, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ayres S-2R
- Registry model: [Ayres S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s-2r) (registry code 0970101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2512R
- Airframe hours: 5346
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-1 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Souther Crop Spraying Inc.
- Registered owner: Souther Crop Spraying Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1992, 99 hours before
- Departed: ALM, ALMA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,195 total, 290 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 160 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VLD, 35 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 19920903035209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920903035209A), Sep 3, 1992: Ayres S2RRESTD, Douglas, GA, Substantial damage. Unable to land at base due to thunderstorm and heavy rain. Landed in open field and struck a ditch. No wx briefing.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.