# NTSB LAX91LA331: Ayres S2R, N3087D, Visalia, CA, July 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1991, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Visalia, CA
- Coordinates: 36.399036, -119.380302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3990&lon=-119.3803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27306
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27306/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA331

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE MASTER ROD TO THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER RESULTING FROM A LACK OF OIL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,master rod - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A SPRAYING OPERATION. AN EXTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE MASTER ROD TO THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER HAD FAILED. ALSO NOTED WAS A LACK OF OIL IN THE ENGINE OIL SUMP. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3087D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3087D-1995-03-20), registration cancelled 1995-03-20, S/N R1820027DC (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: R182Q
- Airframe hours: 2760
- Engines: WRIGHT R1820-97 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Gilbert Aviation Industries
- Registered owner: Gilbert Aviation Industries
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1991, 79 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,500 total, 70 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °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 19910727030139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910727030139A), Jul 27, 1991: Ayres S2RRESTD, Visalia, CA, Destroyed. Lost oil NR1 cylinder master rod broke. Crash landed in cotton and burned. Cause oil loss undetermined.

## Other investigations on N3087D (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 LAX89DVA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA01), Oct 12, 1988: Ayres S2R (N3087D), Traver, CA, substantial damage

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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