# NTSB LAX88DVA10: Ayres S2R-T34, N40071, Huron, CA, August 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1988, 03:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Huron, CA
- Coordinates: 36.200794, -120.089241 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2008&lon=-120.0892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVA10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA10

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT AT NIGHT, THE AIRPLANE'S VERTICAL STABILIZER COLLIDED WITH A TRANSMISSION WIRE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VERTICAL STABILIZER & RUDDER WERE DISLOCATED & DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. REALIZING HE HAD LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE ACFT TO IMMEDIATELY TOUCHDOWN & LAND.  WHILE ON THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT HIT A 'WATER LINE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40071](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40071), registered now, S/N 6011, built 1979 (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 Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6011
- Airframe hours: 5450
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: American Ag Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1988, 300 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,700 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 103 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880814032939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880814032939A), Aug 14, 1988: Ayres S2RR1340REST, Huron, CA, Substantial damage. Vertical stabilizer struck a powerline during low level aerial application. Lost rudder control. Crashed in a field

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.