# NTSB CHI05CA246: Ayres S2R-G10, N3024U, Davenport, ND, August 29, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2005, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Davenport, ND - Coordinates: 46.920555, -96.815834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9206&lon=-96.8158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fargo, ND FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62415/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA246 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to gain suffient altitude during takeoff in order to clear the corn crop at the end of the runway. A factor associated with the accident was the corn crop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with a corn crop on takeoff. The pilot reported he was taking off to the northeast with a full chemical load when the accident occurred. He stated that the airplane became airborne when he was approximately halfway down the 2,640 foot long grass airstrip, but it didn't accelerate. He stated he "eased back on the stick but nothing happened." He stated he then pulled back on the stick in an attempt to clear the corn field at the end of the airstrip, but the airplane did not climb. The airplane collided with the eight to nine foot tall corn crop. Inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have prevented the airplane from gaining altitude. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2005, at 1530 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-G10, N3024U, collided with a corn crop and the terrain while taking off from a private airstrip in Davenport, North Dakota. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that he was taking off to the northeast with a full chemical load when the accident occurred. He stated that the airplane became airborne when he was approximately halfway down the 2,640 foot long grass airstrip, but it didn't accelerate. He stated he "eased back on the stick but nothing happened." He stated he then pulled back on the stick in an attempt to clear the corn field at the end of the airstrip, but the airplane did not climb. The airplane collided with the eight to nine foot tall corn crop. Post accident inspection of the airplane by an inspector from the FAA Fargo, North Dakota, Flight Standards District Office, did not reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have prevented the airplane from gaining altitude. The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3024U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3024U), registered now, S/N G10-108, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-G10 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-G10](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-g10) (registry code 0970217) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: G10-108 - Airframe hours: 3472 - Engines: Garrett TPE331 941 hp turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: James F. Plath - Registered owner: James F. Plath - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2005 - Departed: PVT, Davenport, ND - Destination: PVT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 6,308 total, 3,447 in this make and model, 6,246 as pilot in command, 203 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: FAR ## 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 20050829024119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050829024119A), Aug 29, 2005: Ayres S2RG10, Davenport, ND, Substantial damage. (-23) On 8/29/2005 at 1530 CDT, an Ayres S2R-G10, N3024U, operated by plath aviation and flown by the pilot [privacy data omitted] was substantially damaged… ## Other investigations on N3024U (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 CHI99LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA175), Jun 6, 1999: Ayres S2R-G10 (N3024U), North Platte, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff. 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.