# NTSB FTW91DPG05: Ayres S2R-T34, N4015Z, Wheatley, AR, May 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1991, 06:35 local (11:35 UTC)
- Place: Wheatley, AR
- Coordinates: 34.909725, -91.100616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9097&lon=-91.1006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DPG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23195/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPG05

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE FLAGMAN TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - other person
  - procedures/directives - not followed, other person (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

AERIAL APPLICATION PASSES WERE BEING MADE NORTH TO SOUTH WITH EACH PASS BEING BENEATH CROSS COUNTRY POWER LINES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD. ONE FLAGMAN WAS POSITIONED AT ONE END OF THE FIELD WITH A SECOND BENEATH THE POWER LINES. DURING THE SIXTH PASS, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE FLAGMAN FAILED TO MOVE AS THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'DUE TO THE HEIGHT OF THE WIRES AND THEIR CLOSE PROXIMITY, I WAS COMMITTED TO PASS UNDER THEM.' HE UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO PASS BENEATH THE WIRES AND OVER THE FLAGMAN. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK THE FLAGMAN AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A LEVEE BEFORE CONTROL COULD BE REGAINED. AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING FOLLOWED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4015Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4015Z), registered now, S/N 6041, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ayres 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: 6041
- Airframe hours: 9574
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 783 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Christopher Broughton
- Registered owner: Christopher Broughton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1991, 104 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,485 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,385 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910502013969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910502013969A), May 2, 1991: Ayres S2RT34RESTD, Wheatley, AR, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Flagman failed to move and had back to aircraft. Was struck by ag planes gear as pilot began run under power lines.

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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