# NTSB DFW08CA156: Ayres S-2R, N4002R, McDonald, KS, May 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2008, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: McDonald, KS - Coordinates: 39.780883, -101.370414 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7809&lon=-101.3704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68135/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA156 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the soft terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=0970101), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S-2R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0970101), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S-2R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0970101), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had attempted and aborted a takeoff from another runway. On the second takeoff attempt on a soft runway surface, the pilot stated that he decided to abort due to insufficient airspeed when the left brake faded out and the airplane gradually turned to the right and the wheels sank into soft mud and into a ditch. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing spar which was bent approximately 20 degrees up. The main landing gear was also damaged. The pilot reported his takeoff weight at just 55 pounds less than the maximum allowable gross weight of 6,000 pounds and said one of the reasons for the accident was that he should have loaded a lighter load. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot stated on the Pilot Operator Report (NTSB 6120.1) that he had attempted and aborted a takeoff from another runway. On the second takeoff attempt the pilot stated that he decided to abort due to insufficient airspeed when the left brake faded out and the airplane gradually turned to the right and the wheels sank into soft mud and into a ditch. Substantial damage was sustained to the left wing spar which was bent approximately 20 degrees up. The main landing gear was also damaged. There was no post-crash fire and the pilot reported no injuries. The pilot reported his takeoff weight at just 55 pounds less that the maximum allowable gross weight of 6,000 pounds and said one of the reasons for the accident was that he should have loaded a lighter load. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4002R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4002R), registered now, S/N 2478R, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S-2R - Registry model: [Ayres S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s-2r) (registry code 0970101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2478R - Airframe hours: 13236 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Frontier Ag Inc. - Registered owner: Vollmer Kenneth R - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2007 - Departed: McDonald, KS - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: N/A, Bell Family Farm-not certified, runway 13, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 7,535 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 7,490 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 115 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20080525834749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080525834749A), May 25, 2008: Ayres S2R, Mcdonald, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) The turf runways in use were soft from recent rains. The pilot tried taking off first from a shorter runway, realized he was not getting enough speed for… 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.