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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 14, 1998 · Ayres SR2-T34 · N393KW

Dewitt, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dewitt, AR
Aircraft
Ayres SR2-T34
Tail Number
N393KW
Operator
Wil-Co Flying Service L L C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA217

While applying chemicals to a field the pilot was maneuvering the agricultural airplane around a power line pole when the left wing tip contacted the base of the pole. The pilot then flew the airplane back to his base of operations. Inspection of the aircraft revealed that the outboard 2 1/2 feet of the left wing was torn off. The pilot had flown over 150 hours in the last 30 days, 12 hours in the last 24 hours, and about 4 hours on the morning of the accident. He stated he was fatigued.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper clearance from a fixed obstacle [utility pole] while maneuvering. A factor was pilot fatigue.

Full Narrative

On May 14, 1998, approximately 1100 central daylight time, an Ayers SR2-T34 agricultural airplane, N393KW, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a utility pole while applying chemicals to a field near Dewitt, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, which originated from a private grass airstrip about 15 minutes prior to the accident. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was maneuvering around a utility pole when the left wing tip contacted the base of the pole. He then flew the airplane back to his base of operations. Inspection of the aircraft by a FAA inspector revealed that the outboard 2 1/2 feet of the wing was torn off. The pilot also stated that he had flown over 150 hours in the last 30 days, and 12 hours in the last 24 hours, and about 4 hours on the morning of the accident. He also stated that he was fatigued.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAyres SR2-T34
Tail NumberN393KW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWil-Co Flying Service L L C
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-34 · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data