# NTSB FTW97LA196: Ayres S2R-T34, N30982, Welsh, LA, May 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 1997, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Welsh, LA - Coordinates: 30.230936, -92.810249 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2309&lon=-92.8102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20223/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA196 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a moving vehicle. Factors were: the lack of runway signs and a runway safety area, and the difficulty for the pilot and driver of the vehicle to visually detect each other due to high vegetation at the edge of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - vehicle - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway sign(s) - not installed (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway safety area - not installed (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual/aural detection, driver of vehicle (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the he was making his 7th takeoff that day from a grass airstrip which was oriented perpendicular to a gravel road located just beyond the departure end. Just as the aircraft lifted off, approximately 5-6 feet AGL, the pilot caught a glimpse of a truck passing from right to left along the gravel road. An instant later, the main landing gear and propeller impacted the truck. The aircraft came to rest in a pasture approximately 150 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Both the truck and aircraft were structurally damaged. The pilot also reported that the runway end was not marked adjacent to the road and did not have a designated overrun area. Additionally, the gravel road was lined with 'sparse bushes and tall trees' which made it difficult for the pilot and the driver of the truck to see each other. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 1997, at 1630 central daylight time, an Ayers S2R-T34 agricultural airplane, N30982, was substantially damaged following a collision with a truck during initial takeoff climb near Welsh, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Deep South Flying Service Inc., Jennings, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview with the IIC, the pilot reported that the he was making his 7th take off that day from a grass airstrip which was oriented perpendicular to a gravel road located just beyond the departure end. Just as the aircraft lifted off, approximately 5 to 6 feet AGL, the pilot caught a glimpse of a truck passing from right to left along the gravel road. An instant later, the main landing gear and propeller impacted the truck. The aircraft came to rest in a pasture approximately 150 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Both the truck and aircraft were structurally damaged. The pilot also reported that the runway end was not marked adjacent to the road and did not have a designated overrun area. Additionally, the gravel road was lined with "sparse bushes and tall trees" which made it difficult for the pilot and the driver of the vehicle to see each other. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30982](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30982-2003-11-04), registration cancelled 2003-11-04, S/N T34-173DC, built 1992 (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: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34173DC - Airframe hours: 2355 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34 740 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Ronald D. Taylor - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1997, 23 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip ## 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: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °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 19970522011709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970522011709A), May 22, 1997: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Lacassine, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck a truck on takeoff from a grass strip. (-23) on or about may 22, 1997, at 1715 central daylight time, an Ayres S2-RT34RE, aircraft, N30982,… 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.