# NTSB LAX97LA099: Ayres S2R-T65, N3101K, Firebaugh, CA, February 8, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1997, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Coordinates: 36.850349, -120.539672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8503&lon=-120.5397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29723/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA099

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to compensate for crosswind conditions and to maintain proper runway alignment.  Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, narrow runway condition, and the soft terrain and ditch beside the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - narrow (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The pilot encountered a crosswind during the takeoff ground roll on a narrow airstrip. The airplane's left wheel drifted off the surface of the airstrip onto the soft shoulder, and the pilot lost control. The airplane then nosed down into a ditch and nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On February 8, 1997, at 1000 hours Pacific standard time, an Ayres S2R-T65, N3101K, lost control during the takeoff ground run from the Bullard airstrip, veered off the runway and nosed over about 3 miles southwest of Firebaugh, California.  The airplane sustained substantial damage and the certificated commercial pilot was not injured.  The airplane was being operated as an aerial application flight by Tri Air, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 137.  The local agricultural flight was dispensing fertilizer.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

According to the operator, the Bullard airstrip is about 0.5 miles long, narrow, and covered with asphalt.  The pilot indicated he encountered a crosswind during the takeoff ground run.  The airplane's left wheel drifted off the surface of the airstrip into the soft shoulder.  The pilot lost control of the airplane when it veered left.  The airplane then nosed down into a ditch and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3101K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3101K-2007-06-01), registration cancelled 2007-06-01, S/N R1340-030, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-T65
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-R1340](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-r1340) (registry code 0970210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1340-030
- Airframe hours: 3263
- Engines: Garrett TPE-331-6 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Tri Air Inc
- Registered owner: First National Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1996, 592 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,824 total, 500 in this make and model, 5,621 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCE, 26 nm away

## 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 19970208001379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970208001379A), Feb 8, 1997: Ayres S2RR1340NORM, Firebaugh, CA, Substantial damage. Got a wheel off narrow runway on takeoff onto soft shoulder. Lost control nosed down in a ditch.

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.