# NTSB CEN10LA250: Ayres S2R, N241WD, Rushville, NE, May 16, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 2010, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Rushville, NE - Coordinates: 42.729167, -102.423332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7292&lon=-102.4233&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 76020 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76020/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76020 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA250 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S-2R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0970101), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S-2R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0970101), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0970101), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S-2R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0970101), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot overflew one end of the field that he intended to spray and then circled the field one time before beginning to perform aerial application. A witness observed that, while applying chemicals on the first pass, the airplane hit a power line that crossed the field. The witness then saw the airplane impact the terrain inverted. A portion of the rudder and vertical stabilizer were recovered near the wire strike area. Damage to the wreckage indicated the airplane impacted the power line with the vertical stabilizer. No other preimpact anomalies with the airplane were found. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 16, 2010, about 1445 mountain daylight time, an Ayres Corporation S2R airplane, N241WD, was substantially damaged following impact with a power line and terrain near Rushville, Nebraska. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The local, aerial application flight departed Gordon Municipal Airport (GRN), Gordon, Nebraska and was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was scheduled to apply chemicals to a mostly rectangular, north-south aligned field. The field was about 3,850 feet long by 500 feet wide. The field widened to about 1,200 feet wide on the southern, one-third of the field. The airplane operator provided a track of the accident flight, which was obtained from a SATLOC global positioning unit. The information did not include altitude or airspeed information. The track showed the airplane departed GRN and approached the field from the northeast on a southwest heading and over-flew the north end of the field. The plane then made a left turn and circled just south of the south end of the field, flew northbound parallel to the field and turned southbound beginning the first pass over the field. While flying south over the field the airplane struck an unmarked, two stranded power line that crossed the field running east-west. A witness observed the airplane flying and applying chemicals in a southern direction when it hit the power line, turned sideways, and then turned upside down and impacted the ground about one-half mile from the power lines. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 44, held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land, and a second class airman medical certificate issued April 25, 2010, with no limitations. According to operator supplied information, the pilot had 1,789 total flight hours and 300 hours in type of airplane. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The single seat, low-wing, fixed gear airplane, serial number 2410R, was manufactured in 1976. It was powered by a Garrett TPE331-1-1-1012 engine, serial number P-34016, rated at 665 horsepower. The last inspection was an annual type on February 17, 2010, at 3,743 total time airframe (TTAF). The airplane was equipped with a wire deflector cable which stretched between the top and back of the cockpit and the top of the vertical stabilizer. It was painted mostly yellow with a white cockpit and black paint on the top of the engine cowling. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, at 1252 was winds calm, visibility 10 miles, and overcast skies at 4,700 feet mean sea level. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane impacted terrain following contact with a two-strand power line. The wreckage came to rest in an inverted position. The engine and propeller were separated from the fuselage and were located under the fuselage and left wing. All three propeller blades were bent aft and exhibitedS-type bending Both wings exhibited bending of the spars. A portion of the rudder, from the top of the rudder to the middle attach point, and the fiberglass top to the vertical stabilizer were located on the ground near the area of the power line strike. The remainder of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were found intermingled with the tail wheel assembly. The wire deflector cable exhibited deformation and bending about one foot forward of its attach point on the vertical stabilizer. There was damage to the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer about 12 inches below the wire deflector attach point. Yellow paint smears were located on portions of the damaged power lines. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Regional West Medical Center, Western Pathology Consultants, P.C., on May 18, 2010. The cause of death was attributed to blunt force trauma received in an aircraft accident. The FAA, Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. Testing for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, drugs, and volatiles were negative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N241WD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N241WD-2011-11-15), registration cancelled 2011-11-15, S/N 2410R, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES CORP S2R - Registry model: [Ayres S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s-2r) (registry code 0970114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Garrett TPE331-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/garrett-tpe331-1) (registry code 29030, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2410R - Airframe hours: 3743 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Scott Kyle J - Registered owner: Scott Kyle J - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 2010 - Departed: GRN, Gordon, NE - Destination: GRN, Gordon, NE - Airport: GRN, Gordan Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,789 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: CDR, 28 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 20100516004939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100516004939A), May 16, 2010: Ayres Corp S-2R, Rushville, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. At approx 1330 MST the aircraft was observed spraying a field. A witness said the aircraft was headed south then yawed to the southeast, rolled upside down and… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76020. 9.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 630 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - SATLOC Flight Track (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=SATLOC%20Flight%20Track-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (item 4, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Wreckage (item 5, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Airplane Pre Accident (item 6, .PDF, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Airplane%20Pre%20Accident-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Rudder Section (item 7, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Rudder%20Section-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 8, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.