# NTSB FTW92DPG04: Ayres S2R-T11, N8487V, Jonesboro, AR, July 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1992, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Jonesboro, AR
- Coordinates: 35.819797, -90.679878 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8198&lon=-90.6799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DPG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DPG04

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNAL AND THE PILOT TO PERFORM ADEQUATE INSPECTIONS AND THE SEPARATION OF FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES. A FACTOR WAS THE CORRODED RUDDER ASSEMBLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - flt control syst,rudder - corroded (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,rudder - separation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED THAT THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND RUDDER SEPARATED JUST BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AFT FUSELAGE LONGERONS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE SEPARATION OCCURRED IN THE AREA OF CORROSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8487V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8487V-1992-11-06), registration cancelled 1992-11-06, S/N 2247R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-T11
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T11](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t11) (registry code 0970107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2247R
- Airframe hours: 7562
- Engines: P&W PT6A-11AG 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Jay H. Harmon, doing business as Needham Flying Service
- Registered owner: Winston L. Quinn
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1992, 448 hours before
- Departed: JBR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °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 19920702023609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920702023609A), Jul 2, 1992: Ayres S2RT11RESTD, Jonesboro, AR, Substantial damage. Rudder and upper hinge pulled out and vertical fin spar failed in flight. Aft fuselage longerons severely corroded.

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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