# NTSB FTW91FA092: Ayres S2R-T34, N4010P, Parkin, AR, May 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1991, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Parkin, AR
- Coordinates: 35.260242, -90.549446 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2602&lon=-90.5494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA092

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBJECTS.

## 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)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - wing - separation
  - wing - overload
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS CONDUCTING AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING IN OPEN FIELDS SURROUNDED BY APPROXIMATELY 100 FOOT HIGH TREES. THE OUTBOARD PORTION ON THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE 1,136 FEET FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE LEFT AILERON WAS FOUND 1,005 FEET FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT NO WING DEFECTS WERE PRESENT. THE WING AND AILERON SEPARATION WERE DUE TO THE AIRPLANE STRIKING A VERTICAL OBJECT SUCH AS A TREE. THAT OBJECT WAS NOT FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4010P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2R-T34
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6025
- Engines: P&W PT6A-41 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Richard Reade, doing business as Air Aids, Inc.
- Registered owner: Richard Reade
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,470 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19910515016149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910515016149A), May 15, 1991: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Parkin, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Appears wing struck a tree during spray operations. Lost control impacted and cartwheeled demolishing aircraft.

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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