# NTSB FTW04LA009: Ayres, N4013Z, Midland, TX, October 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 2003, 16:08 local (21:08 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX - Coordinates: 31.942499, -102.201667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9425&lon=-102.2017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58161/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA009 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a ruptured oil line. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - lubricating system,oil line - ruptured (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis During an aerial application flight, the pilot's view became obstructed when oil covered the windshield, then the engine lost power, and the pilot executed a forced landing. During the forced landing, the aircraft impacted a concrete culvert, a railroad embankment, a telephone pole, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the turbine engine revealed that a high-pressure, steel-braided oil line, which connected the nose engine case to the oil cooler, had ruptured. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 2003, at 1608 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-R3S single-engine, tailwheel-equipped airplane, N4013Z, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Midland, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Murphree Flying Service, Inc., of Rotan, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual metrological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from Big Spring Mc Mahon-Wrinkle Airport, near Big Spring, Texas, approximately 1538. According to the 31,000-hour pilot, after completing the first pass of the aerial application on a field, his forward visibility was suddenly obstructed by oil covering the windscreen, followed by a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to gain altitude, turned to the left (northerly direction), and initiated a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane's tailwheel struck a concrete culvert as the airplane crossed a 4-lane roadway. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a telephone pole, a railroad embankment, flipped over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the turbine powered airplane by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed the main wing spar was bent, and the engine was separated from the airframe. Further investigation of the engine components revealed that a high-pressure steel-braided oil line, which connected the nose engine case to the oil cooler, had ruptured. The rupture occurred approximately 6 to 8 inches from the oil cooler. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had a total airframe time of 2,869.5 hours. The most recent annual inspection of the aircraft was completed on December 15, 2002, with approximately 1,903.6 hours total time on the airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4013Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4013Z-2008-11-12), registration cancelled 2008-11-12, S/N R3S-002, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-R3S](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-r3s) (registry code 0970202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wsk-Pzl PZL-3S](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wsk-pzl-pzl-3s) (registry code 67204, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R3S-002 - Airframe hours: 2870 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Jim Prater - Registered owner: Murphee Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2002, 266 hours before - Departed: BPG, BIG SPRING, TX - Destination: MDD, Midland, TX - Airport: KBPG, Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Air ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 29, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 31,000 total, 550 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 20031015024999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031015024999A), Oct 15, 2003: Ayres S2RR3SNORMAL, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 10/15/2003, Ayres aircraft, N4013Z, crashed near Midland, Texas. The aircraft was being operated for aerial application of agricultural pesticide. The… 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.