# NTSB DFW05LA182: Ayres S2R-T34, N61220, Bonita, LA, July 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2005, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Bonita, LA - Coordinates: 32.933334, -91.849998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9333&lon=-91.8500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, LA - NTSB case key (mKey): 62065 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62065/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA182 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - aerial application - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) Two single-engine agricultural airplanes collided in flight while maneuvering. Both airplanes were of the same make, but different model and were both operated by the same operator. One aircraft, being flown by a 16,000 hour pilot, had just completed an aerial application mission and initiated a high rate of climb on a westerly heading. The second aircraft, which was being flown by a 10,337-hour pilot, was in cruise flight at 500 feet above the ground, returning to a private grass airstrip on a northerly heading. The propeller of the climbing airplane struck the right wing of the airplane in cruise flight. The pilot of the airplane in cruise banked the airplane to the left and initiated a descent to avoid the climbing airplane. The pilot of the airplane in cruise flight landed without further incident at a nearby grass airstrip, while the pilot of the climbing airplane elected to make a forced landing to a cotton field. The airplane was damaged during the forced landing. The airplanes were not in radio contact with each other at the time of the accident. The operator reported that both pilots had been on duty for at least 8 hours at the time of the collision. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) Two single-engine agricultural airplanes collided in flight while maneuvering. Both airplanes were of the same make, but different model and were both operated by the same operator. One aircraft, being flown by a 16,000 hour pilot, had just completed an aerial application mission and initiated a high rate of climb on a westerly heading. The second aircraft, which was being flown by a 10,337-hour pilot, was in cruise flight at 500 feet above the ground, returning to a private grass airstrip on a northerly heading. The propeller of the climbing airplane struck the right wing of the airplane in cruise flight. The pilot of the airplane in cruise banked the airplane to the left and initiated a descent to avoid the climbing airplane. The pilot of the airplane in cruise flight landed without further incident at a nearby grass airstrip, while the pilot of the climbing airplane elected to make a forced landing to a cotton field. The airplane was damaged during the forced landing. The airplanes were not in radio contact with each other at the time of the accident. The operator reported that both pilots had been on duty for at least 8 hours at the time of the collision. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On July 14, 2005, approximately 1630 central daylight time, a single-engine Ayres S2R-T34 agricultural airplane, N61220, and a single-engine Ayres S2R-T15 agricultural airplane, N3098R, collided in-flight while maneuvering near Bonita, Louisiana. N61220 sustained substantial damage and N3098R sustained minor damage. The two commercial rated pilots were not injured. Both aircraft were registered to and operated by McGinty Flying Service of Jones, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans were not filed for either flight. Both airplanes were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. N61220 originated from a private grass airstrip near Jones, Louisiana, and N3098R originated from a private grass airstrip near Bonita, Louisiana, approximately 1500. The 16,000-hour pilot of N61220 reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had just completed spraying a plowed cotton field and was on an westerly heading, when he pulled the airplane to a nose high attitude of approximately 45 degrees. Upon climb out, the airplane's propeller struck the right wing of N3098R, which was crossing overhead on a northerly heading. In a subsequent telephone interview with an NTSB Investigator, the pilot stated that after the collision he, "felt the aircraft begin to vibrate" and decided to reduce power and make a forced landing to a nearby plowed cotton field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a crop row which resulted in damage to the propeller, main landing gear and firewall. The 10,337-hour pilot of N3098R reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the airplane was on a northerly heading at approximately 500 feet above ground level when he caught a glimpse of an airplane climbing towards him off of his right wing. The pilot then banked the airplane to the left and began to descend to try to avoid a collision. The propeller of N61220 struck the right wing of N3098R severing the aft wing spar extension. The pilot then landed without incident at a private grass airstrip near Bonita, Louisiana. The airplanes were not in radio contact with each other at the time of the accident. The operator reported that both pilots had been on duty for over 8 hours at the time of the accident. At 1553, the automated surface observing system (ASOS) at the Monroe Regional Airport, near Monroe, Louisiana, located approximately 28 nautical miles southwest of the accident reported wind from 170 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 16 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 3,800 feet, temperature 89 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.89 inches of Mercury. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On July 14, 2005, approximately 1630 central daylight time, a single-engine Ayres S2R-T34 agricultural airplane, N61220, and a single-engine Ayres S2R-T15 agricultural airplane, N3098R, collided in-flight while maneuvering near Bonita, Louisiana. N61220 sustained substantial damage and N3098R sustained minor damage. The two commercial rated pilots were not injured. Both aircraft were registered to and operated by McGinty Flying Service of Jones, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans were not filed for either flight. Both airplanes were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. N61220 originated from a private grass airstrip near Jones, Louisiana, and N3098R originated from a private grass airstrip near Bonita, Louisiana, approximately 1500. The 16,000-hour pilot of N61220 reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had just completed spraying a plowed cotton field and was on an westerly heading, when he pulled the airplane to a nose high attitude of approximately 45 degrees. Upon climb out, the airplane's propeller struck the right wing of N3098R, which was crossing overhead on a northerly heading. In a subsequent telephone interview with an NTSB Investigator, the pilot stated that after the collision he, "felt the aircraft begin to vibrate" and decided to reduce power and make a forced landing to a nearby plowed cotton field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a crop row which resulted in damage to the propeller, main landing gear and firewall. The 10,337-hour pilot of N3098R reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the airplane was on a northerly heading at approximately 500 feet above ground level when he caught a glimpse of an airplane climbing towards him off of his right wing. The pilot then banked the airplane to the left and began to descend to try to avoid a collision. The propeller of N61220 struck the right wing of N3098R severing the aft wing spar extension. The pilot then landed without incident at a private grass airstrip near Bonita, Louisiana. The airplanes were not in radio contact with each other at the time of the accident. The operator reported that both pilots had been on duty for over 8 hours at the time of the accident. At 1553, the automated surface observing system (ASOS) at the Monroe Regional Airport, near Monroe, Louisiana, located approximately 28 nautical miles southwest of the accident reported wind from 170 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 16 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 3,800 feet, temperature 89 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.89 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N61220](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61220), registered now, S/N T34-195, built 1993 (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 PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34-195 - Airframe hours: 22383 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: McGinty Flying Service, doing business as McGinty Flying Service - Registered owner: McGinty Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2005, 103 hours before - Departed: Jones, LA - Destination: Jones, LA ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N3098R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3098R-2006-11-03), registration cancelled 2006-11-03, S/N T15-022, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-T15 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T15](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t15) (registry code 0970105) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (registry code 52251, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T15-022 - Airframe hours: 11291 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-34 780 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: McGinty Flying Service, doing business as McGinty Flying Service - Registered owner: McGinty Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 100 hours before - Departed: Bonita, LA - Destination: Bonita, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N61220; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: single; flight hours: 16,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N3098R; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2004; seat: single; flight hours: 10,337 total, 513 in this make and model, 10,240 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KMLU, 28 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050714034131A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050714034131A), Jul 14, 2005: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Mer Rouge, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) Approximately 1630 CDT, pilot ^privac^ was spraying westbound. He pulled up at the end of the row and struck the outer third of the right wing of… - [Accident 20050714034132A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050714034132A), Jul 14, 2005: Ayres S2RT15NORMAL, Mer Rouge, LA, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot ^privac^ was northbound, returning to base, communicating with another company plane working a field approximately 1 mile in front of him. He was… 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.