# NTSB FTW91DPG16: Ayres S2R-T34, N3092S, Mellwood, AR, July 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1991, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Mellwood, AR
- Coordinates: 34.199131, -90.940933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1991&lon=-90.9409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DPG16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPG16

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE WITH THE POWER LINE.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AERIAL APPLICATION PILOT WAS SPRAYING THREE FIELDS IN A ROW. AFTER COMPLETING A SWATH RUN ON THE FIRST FIELD HE PULLED UP OVER A DITCH AND BUSHES. AS HE WAS DESCENDING INTO THE SECOND FIELD HE STRUCK POWER LINES, LOST CONTROL, AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3092S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-T34
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T34-100DC
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Griffin Ag, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, LANDALL, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,120 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,120 as pilot in command, 402 in the last 90 days, 135 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910719043799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910719043799A), Jul 19, 1991: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Mellwood, AR, Substantial damage. Collided with powerlines while maneuvering to spray a field. Blamed sun hid powerline.

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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