# NTSB LAX00LA175: Ayres S2R-600, N4018P, Buckeye, AZ, April 28, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 2000, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.379493, -112.550086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3795&lon=-112.5501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA175

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.  A factor in the accident was the uneven runway surface.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uneven (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

The aircraft veered off the runway and collided with ground obstacles during landing.  The pilot reported that he was landing with about 400 gallons of pesticide.  He explained that the runway was half asphalt and half dirt.  There was a bump in the runway where the two surfaces came together.  The pilot reported that he hit the bump and the airplane veered to the left.  He was unable to straighten out the airplane and added power to attempt to become airborne again, but did not have sufficient time.  The airplane left the runway, hit a berm and flew over a concrete irrigation ditch that ran parallel to the runway, and then came to rest in an alfalfa field.  The landing gear separated during the sequence.

## Factual narrative

On April 28, 2000, at 0730 hours mountain standard time, an Ayres Corporation S2R-600, N4018P, sustained substantial damage when it ran off the runway while landing at a private agricultural airstrip near Buckeye, Arizona.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  The airplane was being operated as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight.  The local area flight originated at an unknown time and was terminating at the time of the accident.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that he was landing with about 400 gallons of pesticide.  He explained that the runway was half asphalt and half dirt.  There was a bump in the runway where the two surfaces came together.  The pilot reported that he hit the bump and the airplane veered to the left.  He was unable to straighten out the airplane and added power to attempt to become airborne again, but did not have sufficient time.  The airplane left the runway, hit a berm and flew over a concrete irrigation ditch that ran parallel to the runway, and then came to rest in an alfalfa field.  The landing gear separated during the sequence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4018P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-600
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2547R
- Engines: Garrett TPE-331 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Randy Goering Inc
- Registered owner: Av Finance Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: MC85

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 14,500 total, 5,200 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 163 °F, dew point 97 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 30 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 20000428008639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000428008639A), Apr 28, 2000: Ayres S2R600, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot had a full load and was about to spray field when the fan brake became inoperative. Pilot decided to return for landing. During the landing the…

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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