# NTSB CHI03LA214: Ayres S2R-G10, N3299A, Staples, MN, July 17, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2003, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Staples, MN - Coordinates: 46.360557, -94.799385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3606&lon=-94.7994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Minneapolis FSDO, Honeywell Engines, Systems and Services - NTSB case key (mKey): 57530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA214 ## Probable cause The fatigue fracture of the oil jet flange resulting in a total engine failure during the aerial application. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,gear - fatigue (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - altitude - low - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The agricultural airplane received substantial damage during a forced landing subsequent to an aerial application. The pilot initiated a climb to the nearest airport when he noticed instrument indications of low oil pressure. About five seconds later, the propeller went into feather and the engine stopped. The pilot stated that he had never landed with a feathered propeller and when he attempted to land in a clearing, he floated across it and into trees at the far end. The examination revealed a separation through the oil jet flange consistent with high cycle fatigue that initiated at several locations along the flange surface. No tool marks were noted in the area. The oil jet flange material was consistent with the specified aluminum alloy. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2003, at 1230 central daylight time, an Ayres Corporation S2R-G10, N3299A, operated by Peterson Aerial Spraying, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during a forced landing 5 miles south of Staples Municipal Airport (SAZ), Staples, Minnesota. During an aerial application, the engine lost oil pressure, and the pilot then attempted to return to SAZ. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Clarissa Municipal Airport, Clarissa, Minnesota, at 1215. The pilot stated that during an aerial application, the low oil pressure light illuminated, and the oil pressure gauge was indicating below red line. He then started a climb towards the nearest airport. About five seconds later, the propeller went into feather and the engine stopped. He stated that he had never landed with a feathered propeller and when he attempted to land in a clearing, he floated across it and into trees at the far end. The turboprop engine (TPE331-10-511M; serial number P36356C) was removed and shipped to Honeywell Engines, Systems and Services, Phoenix, Arizona, where it underwent disassembly and examination under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The examination revealed a separation through the oil jet flange consistent with high cycle fatigue that initiated at several locations along the flange surface. No tool marks were noted in the area. The oil jet flange material was consistent with the specified aluminum alloy. The FAA and Honeywell were parties to the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3299A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3299A-2006-04-07), registration cancelled 2006-04-07, S/N G10-117, built 1995 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: G10-117 - Engines: Garrett TPE33110511M 940 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Peterson Aerial Spraying - Registered owner: Peterson, Kenneth J - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 8Y5, CLARISSA, MN - Destination: SAZ, STAPLES, MN - Airport: SAZ, Staples Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 25, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 14,227 total, 3,191 in this make and model, 14,150 as pilot in command, 246 in the last 90 days, 147 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: SAZ, 5 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 20030717016089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030717016089A), Jul 17, 2003: Ayres S2RG10, Staples, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) During agricultural spray application, the engine low oil pressure light illuminated, the engine failed and the propeller feathered as the pilot pulled… 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.