# NTSB WPR09CA190: Ayres S2R-T34, N114JP, Cove, OR, April 9, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2009, 08:37 local (15:37 UTC) - Place: Cove, OR - Coordinates: 45.016666, -117.78833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0167&lon=-117.7883&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 14, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73635/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from rising terrain while maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he took off on the aerial application flight with the intention of spraying a field. The pilot stated that he was 200 feet above the ground as he approached the field when the airplane lost airspeed and altitude as he maneuvered to align his flight path with the spray area. The elevation of the ground increased as the airplane approached the designated field. Midway into the turn, the airplane impacted the ground and the fuselage was deformed. The pilot additionally reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunction with the operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he took off on the aerial application flight with the intention of spraying a field. The pilot stated that he was 200 feet above the ground as he approached the field. The airplane lost airspeed and altitude as the pilot maneuvered to align his flight path with the spray area. The elevation of the ground increased as the airplane approached the designated field. Midway into the turn, the airplane impacted the ground and the fuselage was deformed. The pilot additionally reported that he did not experience any mechanical malfunction with the operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N114JP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N114JP), registered now, S/N T34-033 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES S2R-T34 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34-033 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-34 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2009 - Departed: LDG, La Grande, OR - Destination: Cove, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 3,200 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,950 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °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 20090409003119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090409003119A), Apr 9, 2009: Ayres S2RT34, Cove, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) While maneuvering to get into position for the initial run on the field, after a 200’ recon, the pilot reported he was unable to maintain terrain… 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.