# NTSB LAX88DVA14: Ayres S2R-T34, N4009M, Five Points, CA, September 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1988, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Five Points, CA
- Coordinates: 36.380462, -120.129425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3805&lon=-120.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVA14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA14

## 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
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT WAS ENGAGED IN AERIAL APPLICATION AND HAD BEEN OVERFLYING POWER LINES. ON LAST PASS, PLT ELECTED TO FLY BENEATH POWER LINES, STRUCK BRACING WIRE BETWEEN POLES WITH VERTICAL FIN, DISABLING ELEVATOR. THE ACFT CRASHED NOSE DOWN IN A FIELD IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4009M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4009M-2017-05-22), registration cancelled 2017-05-22, S/N 6012, 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: 6012
- Airframe hours: 6500
- 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, August 24, 1988, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,855 total, 340 in this make and model, 6,855 as pilot in command, 285 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °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 19880902036859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880902036859A), Sep 2, 1988: Ayres S2RT34RESTD, Five Points, CA, Substantial damage. Flying under wires hit a brace cable. Impact sheared off the rudder and stabilizer. Lost control. Stopped inverted.

## Other investigations on N4009M (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX05LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA100), Feb 18, 2005: Ayres S2R (N4009M), Firebaugh, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the loss of engine power during takeoff climb resulting from the fatigue failure of one of the compressor turbine blades; the cause of the fatigue failure could not be definitively determined.

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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