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NTSB Report

May 22, 1997 · Ayres S2R-T34 · N30982

Welsh, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Welsh, LA
Aircraft
Ayres S2R-T34
Tail Number
N30982
Operator
Deep South Flying Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA196

The pilot reported that the he was making his 7th takeoff that day from a grass airstrip which was oriented perpendicular to a gravel road located just beyond the departure end. Just as the aircraft lifted off, approximately 5-6 feet AGL, the pilot caught a glimpse of a truck passing from right to left along the gravel road. An instant later, the main landing gear and propeller impacted the truck. The aircraft came to rest in a pasture approximately 150 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Both the truck and aircraft were structurally damaged. The pilot also reported that the runway end was not marked adjacent to the road and did not have a designated overrun area. Additionally, the gravel road was lined with 'sparse bushes and tall trees' which made it difficult for the pilot and the driver of the truck to see each other.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a moving vehicle. Factors were: the lack of runway signs and a runway safety area, and the difficulty for the pilot and driver of the vehicle to visually detect each other due to high vegetation at the edge of the runway.

Full Narrative

On May 22, 1997, at 1630 central daylight time, an Ayers S2R-T34 agricultural airplane, N30982, was substantially damaged following a collision with a truck during initial takeoff climb near Welsh, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Deep South Flying Service Inc., Jennings, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview with the IIC, the pilot reported that the he was making his 7th take off that day from a grass airstrip which was oriented perpendicular to a gravel road located just beyond the departure end. Just as the aircraft lifted off, approximately 5 to 6 feet AGL, the pilot caught a glimpse of a truck passing from right to left along the gravel road. An instant later, the main landing gear and propeller impacted the truck. The aircraft came to rest in a pasture approximately 150 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Both the truck and aircraft were structurally damaged. The pilot also reported that the runway end was not marked adjacent to the road and did not have a designated overrun area. Additionally, the gravel road was lined with "sparse bushes and tall trees" which made it difficult for the pilot and the driver of the vehicle to see each other.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Airstrip (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAyres S2R-T34
Tail NumberN30982
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDeep South Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-34 · Turboprop · 740
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data