# NTSB FTW98LA259: Ayres S2R, N4007Y, Watson, AR, June 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 1998, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Watson, AR - Coordinates: 33.889423, -91.24974 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8894&lon=-91.2497&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): 20641 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20641/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA259 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to the disconnection of the propeller governor control as a result of the stripped threads on the propeller governor control push-pull rod. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - propeller governor control,push/pull rod - stripped thread (cause) - propeller governor control - disconnected (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis While applying herbicide to a rice field, during the pull up at the end of a spray pass, the agricultural airplane's engine lost power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane touched down in a field and rolled into a hedgerow of trees. Examination of the engine by a mechanic revealed a discontinuity in the propeller governor control. The threads on the push-pull rod which retain the rod end that bolts to the propeller governor were stripped, and the rod end had separated from the rod. According to the mechanic, the separation of the rod end probably resulted in the reported loss of engine power, since the governor is 'spring loaded' to a high pitch (low rpm) setting. No other discrepancies with the engine were noted, and it was placed on a test stand and ran 'with no problems.' ## Factual narrative On June 5, 1998, at 0730 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R agricultural airplane, N4007Y, registered to and operated by P & D Flying Service of Watson, Arkansas, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power while maneuvering near Watson. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight that departed from a private airstrip 15 minutes before the accident. According to information provided by the operator to an FAA inspector, the purpose of the flight was to apply herbicide to a rice field. After completion of several spray passes, during the pull up at the end of a pass, the engine lost power. During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane touched down in a field and rolled into a hedgerow of trees. The FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the aft section of the fuselage was bowed and twisted, and the right wing incurred structural damage. The operator removed the engine from the airframe and transported it to Airmotive, Inc., an engine maintenance facility in Clinton, Arkansas. According to an Airmotive mechanic, upon examination of the engine, he found a discontinuity in the propeller governor control. The threads on the push-pull rod which retain the rod end that bolts to the propeller governor were stripped, and the rod end had separated from the rod. According to the mechanic, the separation of the rod end probably resulted in the reported loss of engine power, since the governor is "spring loaded" to a high pitch (low rpm) setting. No other discrepancies with the engine were noted, and it was placed on a test stand and ran "with no problems." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4007Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4007Y-2006-08-10), registration cancelled 2006-08-10, S/N 2517R, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R - Registry model: [Ayres S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s-2r) (registry code 0970101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2517R - Airframe hours: 3595 - Engines: Pzl-Kalisz PZL-35 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: P & D Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1998, 166 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 10,547 total, 4,354 in this make and model, 166 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PBF, 37 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 19980605012609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980605012609A), Jun 5, 1998: Ayres S2R, Watson, AR, Substantial damage. Acft engine lost power while pulling up at the end of a spray run, settled into the hedgerow, Watson, AR. (.4)while applying herbicide to a rice field, during… 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.