# NTSB SEA08CA034: Ayres S2R-G1, N2237D, Calexico, CA, November 19, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 19, 2007, 11:38 local (19:38 UTC)
- Place: Calexico, CA
- Coordinates: 32.672222, -115.562225
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6722&lon=-115.5622&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA034

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.  A factor in the accident was the close proximity of the drainage ditch to the edge of the private airstrip's runway.

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after landing and getting the tailwheel on the ground the airplane began to drift to the right.  The pilot corrected to the left and managed to get the airplane back to the center of the runway, but the airplane continued to the left as the pilot was late in getting the stick far enough forward to unlock the tailwheel.  The pilot stated, "...I was on the [left] edge of the runway, which is the edge of the ditch.  I started to add power to go around, but the left [landing] gear fell off the edge of the drain pulling the plane into the ditch."  The pilot reported that at the time of the landing the wind was calm.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after landing and getting the tailwheel on the ground the airplane began to drift to the right.  The pilot corrected to the left and managed to get the airplane back to the center of the runway, but the airplane continued to the left as the pilot was late in getting the stick far enough forward to unlock the tailwheel.  The pilot stated, "...I was on the [left] edge of the runway, which is the edge of the ditch.  I started to add power to go around, but the left [landing] gear fell off the edge of the drain pulling the plane into the ditch."  The pilot reported that at the time of the landing the wind was calm.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2237D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2237D), registered now, S/N G1-104, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ayres S2R-G1
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-G1](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-g1) (registry code 0970219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: G1-104
- Engines: Airesearch TPE-331 turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Frontier Agricultural Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 0945, Calexico, CA
- Destination: Calexico, CA
- Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 26, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 8,820 total, 95 in this make and model, 96 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °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 20071119827019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071119827019A), Nov 19, 2007: Ayers S2RG1, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The investigating inspector had a telephone conversation with the pilot on November 21, 2007. During that conversation, the pilot stated that he was…

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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