# NTSB SEA95LA055: Ayres S2R-T34AG, N4021Z, Moses Lake, WA, February 23, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1995, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Moses Lake, WA
- Coordinates: 47.190322, -119.300506 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1903&lon=-119.3005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA055

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TERRAIN.  FACTORS INCLUDE HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION AND ATTEMPTED MANEUVER TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT, WHILE RETURNING TO BASE TO RELOAD AFTER CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION ACTIVITY, HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED OUT THE LEFT WINDOW BY ANOTHER FIELD WHICH WAS TO BE SPRAYED LATER.  WHEN HE LOOKED AHEAD AGAIN, HE SAW POWER TRANSMISSION LINES IMMEDIATELY AHEAD AND APPLIED IMMEDIATE, ABRUPT FORWARD PRESSURE ON THE STICK.  THE AIRCRAFT MISSED THE POWER LINES BUT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On February 23 1995, approximately 1420 Pacific standard time (PST), an Ayres S2R-T34AG, N4021Z, impacted the terrain while maneuvering to avoid power lines near Moses Lake, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received serious injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 137 aerial application flight, which had departed the operator's airstrip about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no fire.

The pilot was returning to the airstrip to reload when his attention was distracted by a field which was to be sprayed later. When his attention returned to his flying, he spotted power transmission lines immediately in front of him. He quickly dove the aircraft in order to avoid the wires, but collided with an earthen berm as he passed underneath.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4021Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4021Z-1997-02-06), registration cancelled 1997-02-06, S/N T34028 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2R-T34AG
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T34-028
- Airframe hours: 9000
- Engines: P&W PT6-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Moses Lake Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1994, 5 hours before
- Departed: WA40, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,442 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 10,442 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19950223002289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950223002289A), Feb 23, 1995: Ayres S2RT34RESTD, Moses Lake, WA, Substantial damage. Crashed trying to dive under wires surveying a spray field.

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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