ATL94LA154

NTSB accident investigation · Ayres S2R · Vienna, GA · August 11, 1994

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 11, 1994, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
Place
Vienna, GA
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N8914QAyres S2R
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report May 9, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19940811032259A
Case key
3431

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The loss of engine power because of a fractured cylinder.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malfManeuvering - aerial application
Engine assembly,cylinder - fractured
Forced landingDescent - emergency
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - roll
Terrain condition - ditch
On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll

Analysis

During an aerial application swath the engine quit. A forced landing was made which resulted in a collision with a road and a ditch. A post accident examination of the engine revealed that the number one cylinder had fractured. There was no evidence of over heating of the cylinder and the aircraft records indicated that the annual inspection had been conducted.

Factual narrative

On August 11, 1994, about 1000 eastern daylight time, an Ayers S2R, N8914Q, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a forced landing near Vienna, Georgia. The commercial pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 by A&C Ag Aviation, Incorporated of Unidilla, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, aerial application flight. The flight departed Unadilla, Georgia about 0930.

The pilot stated that during an aerial application spray swath, the engine lost power. He executed a forced landing in a field. The aircraft rolled across a paved highway, and impacted the terrain on the opposite side of the highway from the original field.

An examination of the engine following the accident discovered a three inch by five inch "blow-out" in the number one cylinder. The inspector who examined the engine stated that there was no evidence of over heating or abuse, and that the aircraft records reflected adequate and timely inspections.

Aircraft

Registration
N8914Q
Reported as
Ayres S2R
Category
Airplane
Serial number
2440R
Airframe hours
6,577
Engine
Wright R-1820-71, 1,200 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Aerial application · Part 137
Registered owner
A & C Ag Aviation, Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Restricted (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · March 15, 1994 · 405 hours before
Departed
NONE · Unidilla, GA
Destination
NONE · GA

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
52
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Center

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
82 °F, dew point 64 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
MCN, 40 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.