# NTSB FTW92DRD01: Ayres S2R, N5637X, Hebert, LA, May 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1992, 16:27 local (21:27 UTC)
- Place: Hebert, LA
- Location: 32.1827° N, 91.9910° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hebert, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1827&lon=-91.9910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 13, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DRD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DRD01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,prop control unit - unapproved part
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5637X-1994-07-13), registration cancelled 1994-07-13, S/N 2408R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2R
- Registry model: [Ayres S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s-2r) (registry code 0970101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2408R
- Airframe hours: 9759
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920514014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920514014879A), May 14, 1992: Ayres S2RRESTD, Hebert, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness heard prop change pitch. Aircraft stalled. Engine had bogus parts. Prop pitch cam worn. Other problems.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.