# NTSB LAX03LA122: Ayres S2R-T34, N30913, Avondale, AZ, April 1, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 2003, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Avondale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.333332, -112.333335
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3333&lon=-112.3333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA122

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain adequate visual lookout and did not maintain clearance from power lines.  The backhoe's location, which caused the pilot to alter his planned flight path, was a factor.

## 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
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane struck power lines during the final agricultural spray application of the day.  This particular pass involved flying underneath power lines.  There was a backhoe parked near the pilot's intended flight path; as a result, he flew a higher than normal flight path.  The airplane impacted the lower power lines.  The pilot then flew the airplane back to his original departure point.

## Factual narrative

On April 1, 2003, about 1300 mountain standard time, an Ayres S2R-T34, N30913, struck power line wires during a low altitude aerial application pass near Avondale, Arizona.  Pierce Aviation was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The local aerial application flight departed a private strip near Buckeye, Arizona, about 1230.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.  The accident occurred at 33 degrees 20 minutes north latitude and 112 degrees 20 minutes west longitude.

In a written statement submitted by the pilot, he reported that the purpose of the flight was to spray the last of seven fields.  This particular pass involved flying underneath power lines.  There was a backhoe parked near the pilot's intended flight path; as a result, he flew a higher than normal flight path.  The airplane impacted the lower power lines, resulting in damage to the propeller, top canopy, vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and rudder.  The pilot then flew the airplane back to his original departure point.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30913](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30913-2005-11-30), registration cancelled 2005-11-30, S/N T34-093, built 1988 (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: 50641530
- Airframe hours: 11685
- Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-34AG 780 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Pierce Aviation
- Registered owner: Ag Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 2002, 80 hours before
- Departed: AZ10, Buckeye, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 17, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 44,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: GYR, 3 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 20030401008049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030401008049A), Apr 1, 2003: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Avondale, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) While airman was spraying a farmers field and passing beneath electrical wires, the airman needed to maneuver over a backhoe while also remaining below…

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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