# NTSB WPR12CA026: Ayres S2R-600, N1206S, Kahlotus, WA, November 2, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 2, 2011, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Kahlotus, WA
- Coordinates: 46.628334, -118.592781
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6283&lon=-118.5928&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82227/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82227
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA026

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the ground due to his distraction with programming a global positioning system receiver.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-600, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0970102), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=0970102), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md)
- [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=0970102), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0970102), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight; he had just completed an application and was proceeding to another nearby field. He diverted his attention to reprogram the cockpit global positioning system (GPS) receiver and failed to retrim the airplane with nose-up trim. While the pilot was reprogramming the GPS receiver, the airplane entered a shallow descent and impacted the top of a small hill.

## Factual narrative

The purpose of the flight was agricultural aerial application. The pilot pulled off a field to proceed to the next field 3 miles away. He diverted his attention to reprogram the cockpit GPS (Global Positioning System), and failed to retrim the airplane with nose up trim. While the pilot was reprograming the GPS the airplane entered a shallow descent and impacted the top of a small hill.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1206S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1206S), registered now, S/N 2470R, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-600
- Registry model: [Ayres S2R-600](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-600) (registry code 0970102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2470R
- Airframe hours: 4491
- Engines: Garrett Type 331-252M 840 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Faunce Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: Faunce Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 2011
- Departed: Kahlotus, WA
- Destination: Kahlotus, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2011; seat: center; flight hours: 22,000 total, 11,000 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20111102025549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111102025549A), Nov 2, 2011: Ayres Corporation S2R-600, Kahlotus, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot impacted terrain while repositioning from one field to another. Pilot stated he became distracted while making an adjustment to the GPS.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82227. 3.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 574 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - On scene photo (item 2, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20On%20scene%20photo-Master.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.

---
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.