FTW92DRD01

NTSB accident investigation · Ayres S2R · Hebert, LA · May 14, 1992

Accident · FatalFinal report
Date
May 14, 1992, 16:27 local (21:27 UTC)
Place
Hebert, LA
Injuries
1 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N5637XAyres S2R
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 13, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19920514014879A
Case key
18329

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightClimb
Airspeed - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Stall - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
Propeller system/accessories,prop control unit - unapproved part
Maintenance,modification - improperOther maintenance personnel
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

After departing the airstrip, the airplane made two left climbing turns to a downwind leg and then leveled off at approximately 150 feet AGL. A witness heard a high pitch sound, then observed the right wing drop approximately 60 degees, and then return to a wings-level attitude without an altitude loss. The nose then pitched downward, and the airplane descended vertically to impact in an open plowed field. There was evidence of rotational damage throughout the engine. The propeller was found to be at a high pitch angle at impact compared to that expected for a normal takeoff power setting. The engine did not meet the approved data plate configuration due to nonconformance of the propeller pitch control and the second stage stator assembly. The propeller pitch control cam was of unknown type and identification. The engine had not been overhauled as required, and an airworthiness directive regarding the engine torque sensor had not been accomplished as required.

Aircraft

Registration
N5637X
Reported as
Ayres S2R
Category
Airplane
Serial number
2408R
Airframe hours
9,759
Engine
Garrett TPE331-1-151A, 665 horsepower, turbo prop
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Aerial application · Part 137
Operator
Kenneys Aero Inc.
Registered owner
Kenneys Aero Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Restricted (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · April 3, 1992 · 23 hours before
Departed
NONE
Destination
NONE

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
55
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Center
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
15,000 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
220° at 7 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
91 °F, dew point 63 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
MLU, 20 nm away

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.