# NTSB LAX93LA290: Ayres S2R-T34, N40203, Buckeye, AZ, July 15, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 1993, 05:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Buckeye, AZ - Coordinates: 33.380504, -112.549278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3805&lon=-112.5493&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28427 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28427/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA290 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to visually detect and avoid a power line. A factor in the accident was the twilight light condition. ## 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 - light condition - dawn (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said that after takeoff from an adjacent airstrip he over flew the fields to be sprayed checking for obstacles, then descended for the first swath run. At the end of the second field, the aircraft collided with a power line that the pilot said he did not see during the over flight. The pilot reported that the aircraft then went out of control and collided with the ground. Utilizing a Safety Board computer program, the position of the sun was computed for the date, location and time of the accident. The sun was found to be 3.4 degrees below the horizon on a magnetic azimuth of 048.9 degrees. The accident occurred during the hours of civil twilight. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 1993, at 0515 Mountain standard time, an Ayers Corporation S2R-T34, N40203, collided with power lines while engaged in aerial application maneuvers near Buckeye, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by Pierce Aviation of Buckeye, Arizona, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed in the obstacle and ground collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from a dirt airstrip near the fields to be sprayed on the day of the mishap at about 0510 hours as a local aerial application flight. The pilot said that after takeoff from the airstrip he over flew the fields to be sprayed checking for obstacles, then descended for the first swath run. At the end of the second field, the aircraft collided with a power line that the pilot said he did not see during the over flight. The pilot reported that the aircraft then went out of control and collided with the ground. Utilizing a Safety Board computer program, the position of the sun was computed for the date, location and time of the accident. The sun was found to be 3.4 degrees below the horizon on a magnetic azimuth of 048.9 degrees. The accident occurred during the hours of civil twilight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40203](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40203-1994-02-16), registration cancelled 1994-02-16, S/N T34020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-T34 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34-020 - Airframe hours: 6554 - Engines: P&W PT6-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Pierce Aviation - Registered owner: Ag Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993, 55 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,144 total, 250 in this make and model, 10,031 as pilot in command, 156 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19930715023729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930715023729A), Jul 15, 1993: Ayres S2RT34RESTD, Buckeye, AZ, Destroyed. Collided with unseen powerline during first spray run. Aircraft destroyed on ground impact. 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.