# NTSB CEN11CA608: Ayres S2R-G10, N22592, Hot Springs, AR, August 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 5, 2011, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Hot Springs, AR - Coordinates: 34.484165, -93.074165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4842&lon=-93.0742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81652 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA608 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81652/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81652 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA608 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision not to fully jettison the entire load of water when he realized the airplane was not climbing after takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-G10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0970217), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Ayres S2R-G10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=0970217), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-G10, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0970217), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he loaded the airplane for a fire suppression mission with 450 gallons of water and calculated that the airplane's takeoff weight was 435 pounds below the maximum takeoff gross weight of 11,500 pounds. Using aircraft performance data, he determined that he would be able to perform the mission given the reported temperature and calculated density altitude. The airplane accelerated normally down the runway with engine instruments all showing full power indications. After liftoff, the pilot raised the flaps and the airplane accelerated to 85 knots. He expected the acceleration to increase to 105 knots during the climb-out, but the airplane did not accelerate normally, although all engine instruments showed full power. The pilot felt the airplane drop about 50 feet straight down, so he squeezed the jettison trigger to release some water. As the airplane continued to descend, the pilot released more water and maneuvered the airplane to avoid hitting houses and trees. Finally, the pilot pulled the nose back to stall the airplane in order to avoid hitting a house. The airplane clipped power lines, hit the edge of a house, and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the tail section. Postaccident examination found no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that he could have jettisoned the entire load of water when the airplane was not climbing, thus reducing the airplane's total weight by 3,800 pounds. This would likely have resulted in a positive rate of climb. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he loaded the airplane for a fire suppression mission with 450 gallons of water and calculated that the airplane's takeoff weight was 435 pounds below the maximum takeoff gross weight of 11,500 pounds. Using aircraft performance data, he determined that he would be able to perform the mission given the reported temperature and calculated density altitude. The airplane accelerated normally down the runway with engine instruments all showing full power indications. After liftoff, the pilot raised the flaps and the airplane accelerated to 85 knots. He expected the acceleration to increase to 105 knots during the climb-out, but the airplane did not accelerate normally, although all engine instruments showed full power. The pilot felt the airplane drop about 50 feet straight down, so he squeezed the jettison trigger to release some water. As the airplane continued to descend, the pilot released more water and maneuvered the airplane to avoid hitting houses and trees. Finally, the pilot pulled the nose back to stall the airplane in order to avoid hitting a house. The airplane clipped power lines, hit the edge of a house, and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the tail section. Postaccident examination found no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that he could have jettisoned the entire load of water when the airplane was not climbing, thus reducing the airplane's total weight by 3,800 pounds. This would likely have resulted in a positive climb rate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22592](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22592-2012-04-09), registration cancelled 2012-04-09, S/N G10-138, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-G10 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-G10](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-g10) (registry code 0970217) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: G10-138 - Airframe hours: 2930 - Engines: Garrett TPE331-10-51 940 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Western Pilot Service Inc - Registered owner: Western Pilot Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 2010, 93 hours before - Departed: HOT, Hot Springs, AR - Destination: HOT, Hot Springs, AR - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: HOT, Hot Springs Memorial Field, runway 05, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 6,830 total, 77 in this make and model, 6,650 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg - Observed at: HOT, 1 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 20110805018519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110805018519A), Aug 5, 2011: Ayres Corporation S2R-G10, Hot Springs, AR, Substantial damage. On August 5, 2011 at approximately 1430 CST a S2R-G10 , N22592 impacted trees, a house and then the ground after takeoff from the Hot Springs Memorial Field,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81652. 178 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355530&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.