# NTSB FTW94LA159: Ayres S2R-G6, N448AT, De Witt, AR, May 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1994, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: De Witt, AR
- Coordinates: 34.280574, -91.330703 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2806&lon=-91.3307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA159

## Probable cause

A STALL/MUSH INTO TERRAIN AFTER THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY RAISED THE FLAPS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - raising of flaps - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT LOWERED THE FLAPS TO 10 DEGREES.  AS THE PILOT MOVED HIS HAND FROM THE FLAP SWITCH BACK TO THE POWER LEVER, THE FLAPS WERE INADVERTENTLY BUMPED TO ZERO DEGREES AT THE TIME OF ROTATION.  THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT A LEVEE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED.

## Factual narrative

On May 16, 1994, at 0730 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-G6, N448AT, was substantially damaged during the takeoff near       De Witt, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot did not receive injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight.

During a telephone interview the operator reported the left main gear hit a levee at the departure end of the 2,500 foot sod runway.  Left wing spar, engine, and propeller damage occurred as a forced landing was made to a field.  The airplane was loaded with 400 pounds of herbicide and this was the fifth load for the day.  There were no mechanical discrepancies reported.

The pilot/operator report stated that during the takeoff roll the flaps were lowered to 10 degrees.  While moving his hand from the flap switch back to the power lever, the flaps were inadvertently bumped to zero degrees at the time of airplane rotation.  "This caused a settling effect and contact with embankment" according to the enclosed report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N448AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N448AT-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N G6-104, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2R-G6
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-G6](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-g6) (registry code 0970216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331-5&6SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-5-6ser) (registry code 01515, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G6-104
- Airframe hours: 870
- Engines: Garrett TPE-331-6-25M 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Double A Flying Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1994, 250 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Double A West

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,300 total, 660 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 25 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 19940516011209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940516011209A), May 16, 1994: Swrngn S2RG6, Dewitt, AR, Substantial damage. Accidently bumped off takeoff flaps failed climb. Struck levee off departure end runway.

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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