# NTSB LAX93LA303: Ayres S2R, N4930X, Stratford, CA, July 28, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 1993, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Stratford, CA - Coordinates: 36.169506, -119.810569 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1695&lon=-119.8106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28435/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA303 ## Probable cause THAT THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S FATIGUE AND THE LIGHT CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - utility pole - light condition - dawn (contributing factor) - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT WITH 360 GALLONS OF CHEMICAL ABOARD THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH 50 FOOT HIGH POWER TRANSMISSION POLE WHILE THE PILOT WAS EXECUTING A LOW LEVEL TURN. THE PILOT HAD WORKED ABOUT TEN HOURS AND COMPLETED SIX FLIGHTS BEFORE BEGINNING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 1993, at 0600 hours Pacific daylight time, an Ayres S2R, N4930X, collided with a power pole after takeoff from a dirt strip located about 7 miles southeast of Stratford, California. The airplane was being operated by Salyer Farms, Corcoran, California, under 14 CFR Part 137. The airplane was destroyed by the post impact fire. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The first flight had commenced about 2000 hours on July 27, 1993. The pilot was taking off from an airstrip starting his seventh aerial application flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was loaded with 350 gallons of liquid fertilizer. The pilot indicated he had taken off to the west and turned right about 160 degrees when he saw power transmission wires. The wires at first appeared to go below the airplane's flight path. The pilot then noticed the wires coming into view. The pilot added full power, but the airplane struck the 50-foot high pole supporting the wires. The pilot stated the airplane did not respond to the power application as it normally does. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4930X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4930X-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 2132R, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES S2R - Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2132R - Airframe hours: 13561 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Salyer Farms - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 12, 1993, 58 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,073 total, 1,719 in this make and model, 5,578 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 286° at 3 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °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 19930728025929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930728025929A), Jul 28, 1993: Ayres S2RRESTD, Stratford, CA, Destroyed. Turned right after takeoff from dirt strip saw wires tried to avoid same and struck a power pole. Crashed. Burned. ## Other investigations on N4930X (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 LAX91LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA109), Feb 18, 1991: Rockwell S2R-600 (N4930X), Corcoran, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE'S FUEL PUMP VALVE ASSEMBLY BYPASS. 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.