# NTSB FTW98LA217: Ayres SR2-T34, N393KW, Dewitt, AR, May 14, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1998, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Dewitt, AR
- Coordinates: 34.280014, -91.329467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2800&lon=-91.3295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA217

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from a fixed obstacle [utility pole] while maneuvering. A factor was pilot fatigue.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole
  - fatigue(flight schedule), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While applying chemicals to a field the pilot was maneuvering the agricultural airplane around a power line pole when the left wing tip contacted the base of the pole. The pilot then flew the airplane back to his base of operations. Inspection of the aircraft revealed that the outboard 2 1/2 feet of the left wing was torn off. The pilot had flown over 150 hours in the last 30 days, 12 hours in the last 24 hours, and about 4 hours on the morning of the accident. He stated he was fatigued.

## Factual narrative

On May 14, 1998, approximately 1100 central daylight time, an Ayers SR2-T34 agricultural airplane, N393KW, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a utility pole while applying chemicals to a field near Dewitt, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, which originated from a private grass airstrip about 15 minutes prior to the accident.

In a telephone interview, the pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was maneuvering around a utility pole when the left wing tip contacted the base of the pole.  He then flew the airplane back to his base of operations.  Inspection of the aircraft by a FAA inspector revealed that the outboard 2 1/2 feet of the wing was torn off.

The pilot also stated that he had flown over 150 hours in the last 30 days, and 12 hours in the last 24 hours, and about 4 hours on the morning of the accident.  He also stated that he was fatigued.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N393KW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ayres SR2-T34
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T34-212
- Airframe hours: 1402
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Barry J. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 16, 1998, 108 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,879 total, 2,990 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19980514009659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980514009659A), May 14, 1998: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Dewitt, AR, Substantial damage. Acft clipped its left wing on a high line wire during aerial application, st. charles, AR. (.4)while applying chemicals to a field the pilot was maneuvering…

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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