# NTSB WPR20CA153: Ayres S 2R, N5573X, Artois, CA, May 23, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2020, 19:00 local (May 23, 2020, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Artois, CA - Coordinates: 39.617221, -122.192497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6172&lon=-122.1925&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 101321 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101321/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101321 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA153 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a go-around. ## 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: [Rockwell International S-2R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rockwell International S-2R, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7630202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that, as he was landing, the airplane started to drift into nearby power lines. He initiated a go around; however, the left wing caught the power lines. The airplane impacted the ground and tumbled several times before it came to rest inverted. The fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. In a follow-up written statement, the pilot reported that during the landing on a dirt airstrip, the right-side brake failed due to a ruptured brake line. During the aborted landing, the airplane hit a power pole and wires. During the initial interview and report of no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane, the airplane was released to the owner and the brake system was not examined. ## Factual narrative During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that, as he was landing, the airplane started to drift into nearby power lines. He initiated a go around; however, the left wing caught the power lines. The airplane impacted the ground and tumbled several times before it came to rest inverted. The fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. In a follow-up written statement, the pilot reported that during the landing on a dirt airstrip, the right-side brake failed due to a ruptured brake line. During the aborted landing, the airplane hit a power pole and wires. During the initial interview and report of no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane, the airplane was released to the owner and the brake system was not examined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5573X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5573X-2021-11-20), registration cancelled 2021-11-20, S/N 5083R, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S 2R (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Rockwell International S-2R](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-s-2r) (registry code 7630202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5083R - Year built: 1975 - Engines: Wright C7BA SERIES 800 horsepower - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Marysville, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2020; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,500 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 11,500 as pilot in command, 126.8 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 20200523007169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200523007169A), May 23, 2020: Rockwell International S-2R, Artois, CA, Destroyed. The pilot was attempting to land his aircraft, N5573X, at cook strip south of willows, CA on may 24, 2020. After he landed he tapped the brakes and the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101321. 835 KB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 585 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10024039&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Initial statement from the pilot to the do (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10023649&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N5573X%20ROC%20For%20Maja-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10022633&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-Rel.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.