# NTSB ERA13LA138: Ayres S2R-T34, N3095X, Fort Gaines, GA, February 15, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 2013, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Gaines, GA - Coordinates: 31.488056, -85.009719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4881&lon=-85.0097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86242 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86242/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86242 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA138 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of debris in the fuel control unit. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was topped off with 60 gallons of fuel prior to departure and that he applied a spray application to a field for about 30 minutes before returning to the airplane's home base. While enroute, the engine lost power and the pilot was unable to restart the engine. He then performed a forced landing in a field, during which both wings sustained substantial damage. After the accident, about 35 gallons of fuel remained in the left wing and 5 gallons remained in the right wing. Postaccident examination indicated that the left forward wing fuel line was partially blocked; the aft left and both right wing fuel lines were free of obstruction. Additionally, the fuel control unit was contaminated with debris. All other fuel system parts were free of obstructions. The left forward fuel line and fuel fitting were sent to the NTSB materials laboratory for examination and were found to be blocked with debris consistent with soil. The debris in the left forward wing fuel line alone would not have reduced fuel flow to the engine; however, the contamination of the fuel control unit likely would have reduced fuel flow sufficient to cause fuel starvation. The investigation was unable to determine the origin of the debris. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2013, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Ayres Corporation S2R-T34, N3095X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fort Gaines, Georgia. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Coates Flying Service Incorporated, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137, as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Coates Airport (79GA), Fort Gaines, Georgia at 1430. According to the pilot, prior to departure the airplane was fueled with a total of 60 gallons of fuel and the fuel tanks were full. He further reported that he was applying a spray application to a field for approximately 30 minutes before returning to the airplane's home base. While enroute, the engine lost total power and "flamed out." The pilot was unable to restart the engine and performed a forced landing in a field, during which both wings were substantially damaged. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that approximately 35 gallons of fuel remained in the left wing, while the right wing had evidence of only having 5 gallons remaining. The inboard tank access panels were removed and no visible contamination was noted in the fuel tanks or the fuel line fittings. No blockage was noted at the forward and aft of the fuel tank lines. The four wing fuel lines, two lines on each tank, were examined, by applying shop air to each individual line. The results revealed that the left forward line had a partial blockage, but the aft left and both right wing fuel lines were free of obstruction. The wing tank fuel vents were also checked and no discrepancies noted. The fuel system filters were examined for contamination and the main fuel filter, header tank fuel filter and the fuel located within the filter housings were clean with no contamination. The fuel filters on the high pressure fuel pump were checked and also had no evidence of contamination. A review of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual revealed that the fuel system consists of integral wing tanks in each wing and are interconnected through a 5 gallon header tank located in the fuselage. The fuel system is equipped with two fuel filters, a mesh finger strainer at the outlet fitting from the header tank, and a main fuel filter, which was located on the forward side of the firewall. The fuel supply lines to the engine are routed from the header tanks outlet finger screen through a fuel shutoff valve to an electric driven fuel boost pump. The electric driven fuel boost pump discharges through the main fuel filter to an engine driven fuel pump. An examination of the engine by a Pratt & Whitney investigator revealed that the propeller could not be rotated due to impact damage. The propeller was removed to access the components within the engine. The engine was disassembled at the turbine section and all components movedfreely from the reduction gear box section, turbine section, and compressor section with no anomalies noted. The high pressure fuel pump, starter control unit, and oil to fuel heater were sent to Pratt & Whitney, Canada for further examination. Under supervision of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the result of the findings revealed that the fuel control unit was contaminated with debris. The high pressure fuel pump was noted to be in serviceable condition but the fuel performance was low. The starter control unit was found serviceable and the fuel heater thermal element was found unserviceable. The left wing forward fuel line and fuel fitting was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination and revealed that blockage was found within the fuel line fitting. The debris found within the fuel line was consistent with soil. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3095X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3095X), registered now, S/N T34-174, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-T34 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34-174 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 7190 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-60A 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Coates Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Coates Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 14, 2013, 6 hours before - Departed: 79GA, Fort Gaines, GA - Destination: 79GA, Fort Gaines, GA - Airport: 79GA, Coates Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 21, 2012; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,737 total, 1,845 in this make and model, 2,637 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: BIJ, 8 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 20130215003199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130215003199A), Feb 15, 2013: Ayres Corporation S2R-T34, Ft. Gaines, GA, Substantial damage. N3095X, an aayres corporation model SR2-T34/AG airplane, was conducting dispensing operations on the afternoon of 02/15/2013, southeast of Ft. Gaines, GA. The… ## Other investigations on N3095X (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 FTW96LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA349), Aug 17, 1996: Ayres S2R-T34 (N3095X), W. Helena, AR, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The inadequate visual lookout of the vehicle driver and his inadvertent driving of the vehicle onto the runway resulting in the pilot of the departing aircraft performing an evasive maneuver in an… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86242. 18.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Laboratory Fuel Line Findings (item 2, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Laboratory%20Fuel%20Line%20Findings-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - TSB Engine Component Testing Results (item 4, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=TSB%20Engine%20Component%20Testing%20Results-Redacted.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 5, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft logbook excerpts N3095X (item 6, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20logbook%20excerpts%20N3095X-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1-Front view of aircraft with propeller (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-Front%20view%20of%20aircraft%20with%20propeller%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2-Left side view of wing (FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-Left%20side%20view%20of%20wing%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3-Rear view of vertical and horizontal stabilizers(FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-Rear%20view%20of%20vertical%20and%20horizontal%20stabilizers(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4-View of damaged right wing and buckled fuselage (FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-View%20of%20damaged%20right%20wing%20and%20buckled%20fuselage%20(FAA)-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. --- 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.