# NTSB CEN12LA236: Ayres S2R-T15, N64DX, Lakin, KS, April 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 2012, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Lakin, KS - Coordinates: 37.977222, -101.20333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9772&lon=-101.2033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83339/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83339 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA236 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0970105), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T15, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0970105), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=0970105), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/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); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T15, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0970105), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0970105), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T15, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0970105), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident occurred during an aerial-application flight as the pilot maneuvered around a tower. The pilot reported that he had the tower in sight as he maneuvered toward the field being sprayed, and during that turn, the airplane began to shudder as if entering an aerodynamic stall. The pilot attempted to recover from the aerodynamic stall by reducing the elevator input, but the airplane continued to descend rapidly and collided with a tower guy-wire. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 9, 2012, at 0930 central daylight time, an Ayres Corporation model S2R-T15 airplane, N64DX, was substantially damaged when it collided with a tower guy-wire during an aerial-application flight near Lakin, Kansas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Tri Rotor Spray & Chemical, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated from Lakin Airport (36K), Lakin, Kansas, about 0920. The pilot reported that he had the tower in sight as he maneuvered back toward the field being sprayed. While in the turn, the airplane began to shudder as if entering an aerodynamic stall. The pilot reduced elevator input in an attempt to recover from the aerodynamic stall as he continued the turn to avoid the tower. He stated that the airplane was descending rapidly when the right wing collided with a tower guy-wire. The airplane subsequently collided with the terrain. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The closest weather observing station was at the Garden City Regional Airport (KGCK), located about 25 miles east of the accident site. At 0930, the KGCK automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 160 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 5 miles with mist; scattered clouds at 800 feet above ground level (agl) and an overcast ceiling at 1,500 feet agl; temperature 13 degrees Celsius; dew point 12 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.14 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64DX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64DX-2014-07-21), registration cancelled 2014-07-21, S/N T15-040, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres Corporation S2R-T15 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T15](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t15) (registry code 0970105) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T15-040 - Airframe hours: 6810 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-15AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tri Rotor Spray & Chemical - Registered owner: Tri Rotor Spray & Chemical - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2012 - Departed: 36K, Lakin, KS - Destination: 36K, Lakin, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 2, 2010; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KGCK, 25 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 20120409006589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120409006589A), Apr 9, 2012: Ayres Corporation S2R-T15, Lakin, KS, Substantial damage. The agricultural aircraft's fuel and chemical load were each approximately 2/3 full. Take-off was normal, with a light wind, and the pilot transitioned to and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83339. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 801 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Kansas Highway Patrol Incident Report (Excerpts) (item 2, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Kansas%20Highway%20Patrol%20Incident%20Report%20(Excerpts)-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.