# NTSB ERA09CA298: Ayres S2R-G1, N6134T, Bald Eagle, PA, May 21, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 21, 2009, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Bald Eagle, PA
- Coordinates: 41.178054, -77.554168
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1781&lon=-77.5542&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA298
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73878/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73878
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA298

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-G1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0970219), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-G1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0970219), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-G1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0970219), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While preparing for an aerial agricultural application, the pilot flew over the intended application area twice while setting the global positioning system (GPS). After descending to approximately 50 feet above trees, the pilot began the application process, and was monitoring the GPS, when the airplane's right wing struck a power line. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest in a heavily wooded area. An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wings, tail, and fuselage were substantially damaged. The winds reported at an airport 30 miles to the east of the accident location were calm. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

While preparing for an agricultural aerial application, the pilot flew over the intended application area twice while setting the global positioning system (GPS). After descending to the correct spray altitude, “approximately 50 feet above trees,” the pilot began the application process, and was monitoring the GPS, when the airplane's right wing struck a power line. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest in a heavily wooded area. An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wings, tail, and fuselage were substantially damaged. The winds reported at an airport 30 miles to the east of the accident location were calm. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6134T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6134T-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N G1-103, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-G1
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-G1](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-g1) (registry code 0970219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G1-103
- Airframe hours: 3698
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE331 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 2009
- Departed: KLHV, Lock Haven, PA
- Destination: KLHV, Lock Haven, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 4,800 total, 974 in this make and model, 4,711 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observed at: IPT

## 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 20090521009929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090521009929A), May 21, 2009: Ayers S2RG1, Mill Hall, PA, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft was conducting aerial application when it struck wire and clashed.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73878. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather: KIPT METARs (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%3A%20KIPT%20METARs-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 1 - Airplane as it came to rest (Provided by FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20-%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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.

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