# NTSB WPR12CA403: Ayres S2R-R1340, N4020A, Brawley, CA, September 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 6, 2012, 19:00 local (Sep 7, 2012, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Brawley, CA - Coordinates: 33.067501, -115.408607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0675&lon=-115.4086&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84957 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA403 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84957/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84957 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA403 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to attempt to takeoff in high temperatures with a tailwind. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high temperature](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-R1340, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0970210), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he did not notice that the wind shifted while he was reloading product for an agricultural application flight. As a result, he erroneously attempted a downwind takeoff with an outside temperature estimated at 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot said that when the airplane lifted off he was looking directly into the setting sun. He further stated that the sun’s position made it difficult to judge his position on the runway. The airplane impacted a ditch on the west end of the runway and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no abnormalities with the airplane before the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during an agricultural application flight he had erroneously attempted a downwind takeoff after reloading product with the outside temperature estimated at 106 degrees. The airplane departed from the dirt strip westbound, and the pilot was looking directly into the setting sun. The airplane did not climb and impacted a ditch on the west end of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no abnormalities with the aircraft prior to the accident. He stated the wind had shifted while he was reloading and did not notice it until after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4020A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4020A-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N R1340-002DC (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-R1340 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-R1340](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-r1340) (registry code 0970210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1340-002DC - Engines: P&W PT 6 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Farm Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Farm Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Brawley, CA - Destination: Brawley, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 24,472 total, 5,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: IPL, 16 nm away ## 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 20120907020559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120907020559A), Sep 7, 2012: Ayres Corporation S2R-R1340, Brawley, CA, Substantial damage. Ayres Corporation S2R-R1340 impacted terrain while departing an off airport dirt strip 6 miles northeast of Brawley CA at 0619000PDT. 1 POB sustained moderate… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84957. 390 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 390 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378444&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. --- 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.