# NTSB BFO87FIG04: Ayres S2R-T15, N40184, Grantsville, MD, May 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1987, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Grantsville, MD
- Coordinates: 39.690593, -79.150794 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6906&lon=-79.1508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FIG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FIG04

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS SECOND IN A FLT OF THREE SPRAYING FOREST AREA WITH DIMILIN WHEN IT CONTACTED A POWER LINE SUSPENDED BETWEEN TWO HILLTOPS. THE PROP SEVERED THE SINGLE STRAND OF CABLE AND SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT MANEUVERED FOR AN EMGCY LNDG, JETTISONED THE CHEMICALS, AND EXTENDED FLAPS. THE ACFT OVERSHOT A CLEARING AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE TREES. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACCD MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF BETTER RECON HAD BEEN DONE PRIOR TO THE SPRAYING OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40184](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40184-1988-06-17), registration cancelled 1988-06-17, S/N T15006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2R-T15
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T15](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t15) (registry code 0970105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T15-006
- Airframe hours: 4142
- Engines: P&W PT6A-135 800 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ruhe Sales, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1987, 84 hours before
- Departed: 2G4, OAKLAND, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,005 total, 250 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB, 52 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 19870531017219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870531017219A), May 31, 1987: Ayres S2RRESTD, Grantsville, MD, Substantial damage. Struck a cable while spraying a forest. Crash landed in a small clearing. Failed to note cable between 2 hills.

## Other investigations on N40184 (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 MIA84LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA252), Sep 13, 1984: Ayres S2R-T15 (N40184), Climax, GA, substantial damage

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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