# NTSB LAX92LA379: Ayres S2R-600, N5674X, Tranquillity, CA, September 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1992, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Tranquillity, CA
- Coordinates: 36.649707, -120.280853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6497&lon=-120.2809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA379
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA379

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING; HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER DESCENT RATE; AND THE EXCESSIVE DESCENT. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE DUE TO OVERLOAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear strut - separation (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT OVER AN ALFALFA FIELD.  THE PILOT HAD TO FLY OVER TREES AND DESCEND TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE ON THE SPRAY PATH.  THE PILOT SET UP A HIGH DESCENT RATE WHICH HE COULD NOT ARREST.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, COLLAPSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5674X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5674X-2013-02-08), registration cancelled 2013-02-08, S/N 2433R (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-600
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-600](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-600) (registry code 0970102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2433R
- Airframe hours: 5369
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Western Ag Aviation
- Registered owner: Western Ag Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1992, 436 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,196 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 4,114 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19920909035609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920909035609A), Sep 9, 1992: Ayres S2*, Tranquility, CA, Substantial damage. Sink rate too high on turn around,dived for next spray run. Hit ground. Collapsed right main gear and ground looped

## Other investigations on N5674X (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 LAX08CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA085), Mar 25, 2008: Ayres S2R-600 (N5674X), Blythe, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the dusk light condition and the pressure the pilot felt to accomplish the flight.

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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