# NTSB LAX98LA238: Ayres S2R, N8960Q, Shafter, CA, July 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 1998, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Shafter, CA - Coordinates: 35.490249, -119.300727 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4902&lon=-119.3007&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 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43192/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA238 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from the irrigation standpipe due to glare from the rising sun. ## 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 - utility pole - light condition - sunglare (cause) - light condition - dawn - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural detection, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - open field - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The airplane collided with an irrigation standpipe while applying chemicals to a field. The pilot stated that this was the last pass over the cotton field in an easterly direction. The sun had just risen and was reflecting off a clear plastic crop cover located next to the standpipe and the glare made it difficult to see straight ahead. The pilot stated that he saw the standpipe at the last minute and attempted to maneuver around it by pulling the aircraft up. After colliding with the standpipe, he made an emergency landing and came to rest inverted. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the aircraft. According to a computer generated Sun/Moon astrological program, the magnetic bearing to the sun was 60.7 degrees, and it was approximately 14.4 degrees above the horizon. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 1998, at 0715 hours Pacific daylight time, an Ayers S2R, N8960Q, collided with an irrigation standpipe while maneuvering to spray crops near Shafter, California. The aircraft, operated by Inland Crop Dusters, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 137 as an agricultural crop dusting flight, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that no discrepancies were noted with the takeoff or with crop dusting flight. On the last pass of the morning on an easterly heading, the pilot stated that he spotted a standpipe and attempted to avoid it by pulling the aircraft up. He stated that the airplane collided with the standpipe and he made an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over in soft soil. The pilot stated that the emergency landing was conducted with the standpipe attached to his left main inboard wing. The pilot reported that no mechanical anomalies were noted with the aircraft or engine. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector the pilot stated that on the last pass, the sun had risen and was reflecting off a clear plastic crop cover. The pilot stated that it made it difficult to see the standpipe, and when he did see it he was too close to avoid it and impacted it. According to a computer generated Sun/Moon astrological program, the magnetic bearing to the sun was 60.7 degrees, and it was approximately 14.4 degrees above the horizon. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8960Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8960Q), registered now, S/N 2450R, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S2R - Registry model: [Ayres S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s-2r) (registry code 0970101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2450R - Airframe hours: 5244 - Engines: Garrett TPE331-6-252M 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Inland Crop Dusters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1998, 50 hours before - Departed: MIT, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 440 in this make and model, 7,850 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BFL, 10 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 19980721016759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980721016759A), Jul 21, 1998: Ayres S2R, Shafter, CA, Substantial damage. (.4) The airplane collided with an irrigation standpipe while applying chemicals to a field. The pilot stated that this was the last pass over the cotton field… ## Other investigations on N8960Q (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 WPR22FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA026), Nov 3, 2021: Ayres S-2R (N8960Q), Shafter, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to depart into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. 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.