# NTSB FTW97LA170: Ayres S2R-G6, N31575, El Dorado, AR, April 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 1997, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: El Dorado, AR - Coordinates: 33.210304, -92.659271 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2103&lon=-92.6593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20205 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20205/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA170 ## Probable cause The pilot misjudging his altitude above the airport, resulting in not attaining the proper touchdown point. A factor was the separation of teeth from the aft gear of the spur gear assembly, which resulted in the interruption of fuel. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - fuel system,fuel control - fuel system,pump - accessory drive assy,drive gear - failure (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command - Overrun, landing - roll - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot reported that the aircraft was level at 1,200 to 1,500 MSL when the engine lost power. He applied full flaps, put the aircraft in a slip, and spiraled down towards the Downtown Airport. The aircraft touched down on runway 18 about midfield, bounced back into the air, cleared some trees, and touched down again approximately 1,500 feet from the departure end of the runway. The aircraft traveled across a ditch, struck two trees, continued through a fence, and came to a stop in a residential back yard. A teardown inspection of the engine revealed that several teeth on the aft gear of the Spur Gear assembly (P/N 896805-1) had separated. The Spur Gear assembly is part of the gear mechanism which drives both fuel pumps and the fuel control. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 1997, at 1045 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-G6 airplane, N31575, registered to and operated by Evergreen Flying Service, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near El Dorado, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight originated from Monroe, Louisiana, about 25 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge that the aircraft was level at 1,200 to 1,500 MSL when the engine lost power. He applied full flaps, put the aircraft in a slip, and spiraled down towards the Downtown Airport. The aircraft touched down on runway 18 about 2,250 feet from the approach end, bounced several times, and exited the runway. Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed that the aircraft touched down on runway 18 about midfield, bounced into the air, cleared some trees, and touched down again approximately 1,500 feet from the departure end of the runway. The aircraft traveled across a ditch, struck two trees, continued through a fence, and came to a stop in a residential back yard. Examination of the aircraft at the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed that there was a total of approximately 160 gallons of fuel in the fuel tanks, and the engine air inlet was clear. Further examination of the aircraft revealed that the tail was twisted, and the left wing was structurally damaged. The engine was sent to Intercontinental Jet in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for further examination. On May 8, 1997, a teardown inspection revealed that several teeth on the aft gear of the Spur Gear assembly (P/N 896805-1) had separated. The Spur Gear assembly is part of the gear mechanism which drives both fuel pumps and the fuel control. The engine had approximately 5,500 hours total time since new, and the last hot section and gearbox inspections were performed approximately 700 hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31575](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31575-2017-09-08), registration cancelled 2017-09-08, S/N G6-133, built 1995 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: G6-133 - Airframe hours: 570 - Engines: Garrett TPE331-6-252M 700 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Evergreen Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: MLU, MONROE, LA - Destination: TUL, TULSA, OK - Airport: F43, Downtown, runway 18, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,200 total, 684 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °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 19970429006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970429006949A), Apr 29, 1997: Ayres S2RG10, El Dorado, AR, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off end of runway and struck trees. (-23) on April 29, 1997, at 1145 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-G6, N31575, registered to and operated by… 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.