# NTSB WPR09CA267: Ayres S2R-T34, N3094L, Robbins, CA, May 23, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 23, 2009, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Robbins, CA
- Coordinates: 38.92361, -121.796669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9236&lon=-121.7967&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73918/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73918
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA267

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll on a rough runway surface.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll, the agricultural category airplane encountered a rough patch on the runway surface of the agricultural airstrip. The pilot then lost control of the airplane, which ground looped, departed the runway, and came to rest in an adjacent canal. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar during the accident sequence. There was no report of a mechanical failure or malfunction.

## Factual narrative

During the takeoff roll, the agricultural category airplane encountered a rough patch on the runway surface of the agricultural airstrip. The pilot then lost control of the airplane, which ground looped, departed the runway, and came to rest in an adjacent canal. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar during the accident sequence. There was no report of a mechanical failure or malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3094L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-T34
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T34-118
- Airframe hours: 10589
- Engines: Pratt and Whitney PT6A-60A 1050 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Farm Air Flying Service Inc
- Registered owner: Farm Air Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2009, 90 hours before
- Departed: PVT, Robbins, CA
- Destination: PVT, Robbins, CA
- Airport: PVT, Robbins Agricultural Airstrip, runway 18, 3,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 4, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 7,500 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: SMF, 15 nm away

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73918. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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