# NTSB CHI03LA171: Ayres S2R-T34, N4004U, Marked Tree, AR, June 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 2003, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Marked Tree, AR - Coordinates: 35.533332, -90.401664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5333&lon=-90.4017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57303/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. Contributing factors were the low altitude flight/maneuver and the static wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The aircraft was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a static wire and, subsequently, the terrain during an agricultural application pass. The pilot reported that he had completed applying fertilizer to the main portion of a field and had turned to "trim the ends." He stated that the airplane's "wings dipped" when he flew through the aircraft's "prop wash or [a] whirlwind" and the landing gear then struck the wire He noted: "I couldn't pull out so I pulled [the] throttle to full reverse and then hit the ground." The pilot reported the aircraft and engine were operating normally prior to, and at the time of, the accident. The pilot stated weather conditions at the scene were 10 miles visibility, northeast winds at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots, and light turbulence. Conditions at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR), located 19 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1553, were reported as: few clouds at 5,000 feet above ground level, 9 miles visibility and winds from 360 degrees at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 2003, at 1615 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-T34, N4004U, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a wire and subsequently impacted the terrain during an agricultural application pass 4 miles west of the Marked Tree Municipal Airport (6M8), Marked Tree, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 137 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight departed 6M8 at 1605. The pilot's written statement reported that he had completed applying fertilizer to the main portion of a field and had "turned northeast to southwest to trim the ends" of the field. He stated that the airplane's "wings dipped" when he flew through the aircraft's "prop wash or [a] whirlwind." The landing gear then struck the wire, according to the pilot. He noted: "I couldn't pull out so I pulled [the] throttle to full reverse and then hit the ground." The pilot reported the aircraft and engine were operating normally prior to, and at the time of, the accident. The pilot stated weather conditions at the scene were 10 miles visibility, northeast winds at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots, and light turbulence. Conditions at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR), located 19 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1553, were reported as: few clouds at 5,000 feet above ground level, 9 miles visibility and winds from 360 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4004U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4004U-2003-08-26), registration cancelled 2003-08-26, S/N 6006, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-T34 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6006 - Airframe hours: 8076 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Randy T. Mink - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 2003, 265 hours before - Departed: 6M8, Marked Tree, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 17, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 6,314 total, 2,588 in this make and model, 6,243 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 19 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 20030619014289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030619014289A), Jun 19, 2003: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Marked Tree, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) N4004U, an Ayres S2R-T34, was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot sustained serious injuries when the aircraft impacted a wire and… ## Other investigations on N4004U (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA79FKG58](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FKG58), Aug 4, 1979: Ayres S2R (N4004U), Leesburg, GA, destroyed 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.