# NTSB LAX98LA116: Ayres S2R, N32064, Willows, CA, March 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 1998, 18:00 local (Mar 19, 1998, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Willows, CA - Coordinates: 39.499458, -122.279891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4995&lon=-122.2799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30052/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wires. ## 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 - object - wire,transmission - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taking a load for spraying, and did not maintain clearance with wires that he was attempting to maneuver the aircraft under. The rudder was torn off after the aircraft struck power lines. The pilot landed the aircraft without further incident. No other anomalies were noted with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On March 18, 1998 at 1800 hours Pacific standard time, an Ayers S2R, N32064, struck power lines while maneuvering underneath them, and made an emergency landing in an open field near Willows, California. The aircraft, operated by Willows Flying Service under 14 CFR Part 137 as an agricultural crop dusting operation, sustained substantial damage. The commercial rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private airstrip. The pilot reported that he was taking a load out to an alfalfa field for spraying, and did not maintain clearance with wires that he was attempting to maneuver the aircraft under. The rudder was torn off after the aircraft struck power lines. The aircraft entered a continuous right turn after the loss of the rudder. The pilot then flew over a large open field, reduced power, and landed without further incident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft on-scene. No other anomalies were noted with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32064](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32064), registered now, S/N G10-113 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-G10](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-g10) (registry code 0970217) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: G10-113 - Airframe hours: 794 - Engines: Allied Signal TPE331-10 940 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Willows Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 4,950 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BAB, 48 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 19980318003709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980318003709A), Mar 18, 1998: Ayres S2RG10, Willows, CA, Substantial damage. (.4) On March 18, 1998 at 1800 hours pacific standard time, an ayers S2R, N32064, struck power lines while maneuvering underneath them, and made an emergency… ## Other investigations on N32064 (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 WPR18CA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA146), May 22, 2018: Ayres S2R G10 (N32064), Marysville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a truck while on final approach after the airplane encountered a downdraft, which resulted in the subsequent failure of the right main landing gear and… 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.