# NTSB FTW00LA179: Ayres S2R-T34, N3096Z, Helena, AR, June 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 2000, 12:03 local (17:03 UTC) - Place: Helena, AR - Coordinates: 34.520454, -90.600677 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5205&lon=-90.6007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49418/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=49418 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The commercial pilot finished spraying a field and was returning to a private airstrip to reload. The FAA inspector stated that a witness observed the airplane fly below unmarked power lines, impact the power lines, and then enter a 'steep climb...it then appeared to enter a stall, then spin into the ground.' ## Factual narrative On June 13, 2000, at 1203 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-T34 agricultural airplane, N3096Z, was destroyed when it impacted wires and terrain near Helena, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Griffin Ag, Inc., of Helena, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight departed a private airstrip near Helena at 1145. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the airplane finished spraying a field and was returning to the airstrip to reload. The FAA inspector stated that a witness observed the airplane fly below unmarked power lines, impact the power lines, and then enter a "steep climb...it then appeared to enter a stall, then spin into the ground." In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the operator reported that the commercial pilot accumulated 2,000 total flight hours, of which 450 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. An autopsy on the pilot was performed at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock, Arkansas. The medical examiner reported that the pilot died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in an aircraft accident. Toxicology tests for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and drugs were negative. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3096Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3096Z-2000-10-24), registration cancelled 2000-10-24, S/N T34-170DC (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-T34 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34-170DC - Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Griffin Ag, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 2000 - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 450 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 45 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 20000613007169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000613007169A), Jun 13, 2000: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Helena, AR, No damage, 1 fatal. (-23)On June 13, 2000, at 1203 centeral daylight time, an Ayres (thrush) S2RT34 agricultural airplane, N3096Z, was destroyed when it impacted wires and terrain… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2000, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=49418. 1.1 MB in all. - Arkansas State Police Incident/Activity Report (item 1, .PDF, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Arkansas%20State%20Police%20Incident%2FActivity%20Report-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Transmission Wires That Were Fractured By the Airplane. (item 4, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40131835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20%20Transmission%20Wires%20That%20Were%20Fractured%20By%20the%20Airplane.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Fractured Transmission Wire. (item 5, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40131836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20%20Fractured%20Transmission%20Wire.-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Left Side of Airplane. (item 6, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40131837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20%20Left%20Side%20of%20Airplane.-Master.PDF - Photo 4: Right Side of Airplane. (item 7, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40131838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20%20Right%20Side%20of%20Airplane.-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.