# NTSB LAX82DA137: Avres S-2R, N5672X, Kettleman City, CA, April 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1982, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Kettleman City, CA
- Coordinates: 36.049438, -119.989135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0494&lon=-119.9891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FAULTY SO HE FLEW BY TIME. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE BATTERY ON THE PILOT'S ELECTRIC WATCH RAN DOWN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AND CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD WITH HIS WATCH STILL SHOWING HE HAD 20 MINUTES OF FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5672X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5672X-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 2454R, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVRES CORP. S-2R
- 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: 2454R
- Airframe hours: 2896
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: B&G Crop Service
- Registered owner: B&G Crop Service
- Departed: KETTLEMAN CITY, CA
- Destination: KETTLEMAN CITY, CA
- Airport: Duster Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 4,300 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 160 °F

## 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 19820416010019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820416010019A), Apr 16, 1982: Ayres S2R, Kettleman City, CA, Substantial damage. Operating with defective fuel gauge. Misjudged time. Ran out of fuel during ag operation.

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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