# NTSB CEN12CA313: Ayres S2R-R1340, N30951, Clear Lake, SD, May 23, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2012, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Clear Lake, SD - Coordinates: 44.797222, -96.632225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7972&lon=-96.6322&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 83738 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83738/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83738 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA313 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to perform a detailed observation of the power lines before beginning the aerial application work, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the two lower wires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he saw the power lines at the north end of the field as he started the aerial application work. However, he reported that he did not conduct a detailed observation of the lines. The power lines had two lower wires that he did not anticipate, and the arrangement of the lines was different from those he had seen in the area previously. As he approached the north end of the field, he was concentrating on a small group of trees when the airplane impacted the lines. He stated that the two lower wires caught him completely by surprise. The windshield separated as a result of the impact, and he had difficulty seeing because of debris and wind in his eyes. He subsequently elected to dump the application load and execute a precautionary/forced landing to an open field. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies related to the airplane prior to impacting the wires. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage during the landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he saw the power lines at the north end of the field as he started the aerial application work. However, he reported that he did not conduct a detailed observation of the lines. The power lines encountered during the accident flight had two lower wires that he did not anticipate. The arrangement of the power lines was different from those he had encountered in the area previously. As he approached the north end of the field, he was concentrating on a small group of trees when the airplane impacted the lines. He stated that the two lower wires caught him completely by surprise. The windshield separated as a result of the impact and he had difficulty seeing because of debris and wind in his eyes. He subsequently elected to dump the application load and execute a precautionary/forced landing to an open field. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies related to the airplane prior to impacting the wires. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and during the landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30951](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30951-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N R1340-029, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-R1340 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-R1340](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-r1340) (registry code 0970210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1340-029 - Airframe hours: 7700 - Engines: Garret TPE331-6-252M 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Scott Thompson Trustee - Registered owner: Scott Thompson Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2011 - Departed: PVT, Estelline, SD - Destination: PVT, Estelline, SD - Airport: 5H3, Clear Lake Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 11,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.50 inHg - Observed at: ATY, 23 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 20120523009949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120523009949A), May 23, 2012: Ayres Corporation S2R-R1340, Clear Lake, SD, Substantial damage. On may 23 13:00 an Ayres S2R-R1340 owned by scott thompson trustee during spraying operation struck a cross country electric transmission lines. VFR weather… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83738. 493 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369207&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369205&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.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.