# NTSB MKC89LA121: Ayres S2R-T34, N3092S, Snow Lake, AR, May 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1989, 19:00 local (May 30, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Snow Lake, AR
- Coordinates: 34.049858, -91.050247 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0499&lon=-91.0502&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 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA121

## Probable cause

THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN TO TAKEOFF FROM BY THE PILOT AND THE INADEQUATE RUNWAY MAINTENANCE BY AIRPORT PERSONNEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIDDEN HOLE WHICH THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED RESULTING IN THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE.

## 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
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE PILOT SAID HE HIT A WATER FILLED HOLE ON THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A POLE. BOTH WINGS AND THE EMPENNAGE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE AREA HAD BEEN DELUGED WITH HEAVY RAINS, AND THE HOLE THAT WAS STRUCK WAS WHERE A POLE HAD BEEN REMOVED. THE HEAVY RAINS CAUSED THE SOIL AROUND THE HOLE TO SINK IN AND ENLARGE THE INDENTATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3092S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2R-T34
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T34-100DC
- Airframe hours: 678
- Engines: P&W PT-6-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Griffen, David B..
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1989, 110 hours before
- Departed: SNOW LAKE, AR
- Airport: Snow Lake, runway 27, 3,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 19,800 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °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 19890529014399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890529014399A), May 29, 1989: Ayres S2RRESTD, Snow Lake, AR, Substantial damage. Struck a sink hole in runway on takeoff. Veered off runway and sheared off a wing on a power pole.

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.

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