# NTSB FTW96LA069: Ayres S2R-T34, N3090C, West Helena, AR, December 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 13, 1995, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: West Helena, AR - Coordinates: 34.539318, -90.639968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5393&lon=-90.6400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19726 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19726/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA069 ## Probable cause Binding of the power lever linkage, due to corrosion, which resulted in a situation that led to an inadvertent shut-down of the engine at a critical point on the approach to land. A factor relating to the accident was: inadequate maintenance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - throttle/power lever,linkage - corroded (cause) - throttle/power lever,linkage - binding(mechanical) (cause) - engine shutdown - inadvertent, pilot in command - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane was being ferried to West Helena, Arkansas, to accomplish an annual inspection. As it approached the destination airport, the pilot attempted to retard the power to enter the traffic pattern, but the power lever would not respond to any input. The pilot made three approaches in attempts to land, but was unable to slow the airplane below 135 knots. On his fourth approach, he elected to move the condition lever from flight idle to ground idle. However, it inadvertently went past the idle stop, and the engine lost power. The airplane landed short of the runway and impacted trees. An examination of the fuel control system revealed the fuel control linkage was corroded. The pilot reported that the airplane had been washed at the end of each day and that the control linkage had been lubricated on a regular basis. After the accident, he recommended the control linkage be lubricated daily, while working with fertilizer or any other corrosive material. ## Factual narrative On December 13, 1995, at 1115 central standard time, an Ayers S2R-T34, N3090C, registered to Morrison Enterprises, and operated by Louisiana Delta Plantation as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near West Helena, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Jonesville, Louisiana, about one hour before the accident. The pilot reported to a FAA inspector that, the airplane was being ferried to West Helena to comply with an annual inspection. As the airplane approached the destination airport, he attempted to retard the power to enter the traffic pattern. The power lever would not respond to any input. The pilot further reported that, he made three attempts to land, but was unable since he was not able to slow the airplane below 135 knots. The pilot also stated that on his fourth attempt to land, he elected to move the condition lever from flight idle to ground idle. However, it inadvertently went past the idle stop and the engine lost power. The airplane landed short of the runway and impacted trees resulting in structural damage to the wings and engine mount. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Report the following information. An examination of the fuel control system revealed the fuel control linkage was corroded. The aircraft is washed at the end of each work day, and the control linkage is lubricated on a regular basis. However, the pilot recommends the control linkage should be lubricated daily after fertilizer or any other corrosive material is used. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3090C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3090C-2019-11-22), registration cancelled 2019-11-22, S/N T34-075DC, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-T34 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6A-34](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6a-34) (registry code 61534, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34-075DC - Airframe hours: 8000 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Morrison Enterprises - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1995, 1,000 hours before - Departed: NONE, JONESVILLE, LA - Destination: HEE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 18,426 total, 10,800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °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 19951213040459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951213040459A), Dec 13, 1995: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Helena/West Hel, AR, Substantial damage. Ferrying to airport for annual. Throttle jammed at cruise. Tried land. Condition lever idle cut off. Landed short. ## Other investigations on N3090C (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA20CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA020), Oct 11, 2019: Ayres S2R (N3090C), Willacoochee, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude. 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.