# NTSB LAX89LA202: Ayres S2R, N5548X, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), May 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1989, 03:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA202

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT FROM VMC TO IMC, WITH ICING CONDITIONS, FROM WHICH RECOVERY WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED SHANNON, IRELAND UNDER A TWO AIRCRAFT VFR FLIGHT PLAN AND HAD BECOME SEPARATED DURING THE SPECIAL VFR DEPARTURE. UPON APPROACHING FRONTAL ACTIVITY N5548X WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES SOUTH OF THE COMPANION AIRCRAFT AND ELECTED TO DEVIATE SOUTH OF A STORM ON HIS COURSE. THE PILOT REPORTED TO HIS COMPANION AIRCRAFT, NORTH OF THE STORM, THAT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED RAIN AND THEN ICING CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED PILOT SYSTEM. RESCUE AIRCRAFT REPORTED THAT SEA FOG EXISTED IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT. THE INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH WEATHER WAS NOT SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES UPON IMPACT WITH THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5548X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5548X-1989-08-29), registration cancelled 1989-08-29, S/N 2425R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2R
- Registry model: [Ayres S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s-2r) (registry code 0970101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2425R
- Airframe hours: 4400
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pierce Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: EINN, SHANNON, OF
- Destination: BIKE, REKJAVIK, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 13,600 total, 2,313 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Day

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.