# NTSB CEN23LA303: Ayres S2R-G6, N4182G, Ulysses, KS, May 27, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 27, 2023, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Ulysses, KS
- Coordinates: 37.604, -101.37355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6040&lon=-101.3735&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192622/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192622
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA303

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a cable during spray operations.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-G6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0970216), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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-G6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0970216), [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 · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-G6, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0970216), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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 S2R-G6, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0970216), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while spraying a pasture at low altitude, the airplane struck a zipline cable, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that he needed to be more alert to obstacles.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4182G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4182G), registered now, S/N G6-155, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-G6
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-G6](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-g6) (registry code 0970216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331-5&6SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-5-6ser) (registry code 01515, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G6-155
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 2899
- Engines: Garrett TPE331-6-252M 750 hp turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 2023, 37 hours before
- Departed: ULS, Ulysses, KS
- Destination: ULS, Ulysses, KS
- Airport: ULS, Ulysses Airport, runway 17, 6,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2022; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,300 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Observed at: ULS, 6 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 28, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192622. 4.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15942375&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo of damage (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 307 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15942385&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Damage%20photo-Rel.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.

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