# NTSB GAA16CA332: Thrush S2R, N127PB, Lazbuddie, TX, June 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 23, 2016, 06:40 local (11:40 UTC) - Place: Lazbuddie, TX - Coordinates: 34.45639, -102.556114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4564&lon=-102.5561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93458 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA332 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93458/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93458 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA332 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to avoid the metering loop pole during an aerial application. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thrush S2R-T65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8380314), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Thrush S2R-T65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8380314), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Thrush S2R-T65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8380314), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Thrush S2R-T65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8380314), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that on his first spray pass of a cornfield during an aerial application, he misjudged the distance of the airplane to a metering loop pole. The right wing of the airplane impacted the metering loop pole, which resulted in damage to the right wing. The pilot further reported that he decided to land to evaluate the damage and that the subsequent landing was uneventful. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that on his first spray pass of a cornfield during an aerial application, he misjudged the distance of the airplane to a metering loop pole. The right wing of the airplane impacted the metering loop pole, which resulted in damage to the right wing. The pilot further reported that he decided to land to evaluate the damage and that the subsequent landing was uneventful. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N127PB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N127PB), registered now, S/N T65-022DC, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THRUSH AIRCRAFT INC S2R (T65) - Registry model: [Thrush S2R-T65](https://openairdocs.org/model/thrush-s2r-t65) (registry code 8380314) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60AG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60ag) (registry code 52101, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T65-022DC - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 3509 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT-6-60AG 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wilbur Ellis Co. - Registered owner: Wilbur Ellis Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2016 - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 15,728 total, 1,735 in this make and model, 15,615 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KHRX, 26 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 20160623010549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160623010549A), Jun 23, 2016: Thrush Aircraft Inc S2R-T65, Lazbuddie, TX, Substantial damage. On June 23, 2016, at approximately 0900 CDT, N127PB struck a powerline pole northeast of Lazbuddie, Texas. Pilot was conducting aerial spraying operations.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93458. 722 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444033&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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.