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NTSB Report
May 2, 1991 · Ayres S2R-T34 · N4015Z
Wheatley, AR
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Wheatley, AR
Aircraft
Ayres S2R-T34
Tail Number
N4015Z
Operator
Christopher Broughton
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW91DPG05
AERIAL APPLICATION PASSES WERE BEING MADE NORTH TO SOUTH WITH EACH PASS BEING BENEATH CROSS COUNTRY POWER LINES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD. ONE FLAGMAN WAS POSITIONED AT ONE END OF THE FIELD WITH A SECOND BENEATH THE POWER LINES. DURING THE SIXTH PASS, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE FLAGMAN FAILED TO MOVE AS THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'DUE TO THE HEIGHT OF THE WIRES AND THEIR CLOSE PROXIMITY, I WAS COMMITTED TO PASS UNDER THEM.' HE UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO PASS BENEATH THE WIRES AND OVER THE FLAGMAN. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK THE FLAGMAN AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A LEVEE BEFORE CONTROL COULD BE REGAINED. AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING FOLLOWED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE FLAGMAN TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES.
Full Narrative
AERIAL APPLICATION PASSES WERE BEING MADE NORTH TO SOUTH WITH EACH PASS BEING BENEATH CROSS COUNTRY POWER LINES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD. ONE FLAGMAN WAS POSITIONED AT ONE END OF THE FIELD WITH A SECOND BENEATH THE POWER LINES. DURING THE SIXTH PASS, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE FLAGMAN FAILED TO MOVE AS THE AIRPLANE APPROACHED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'DUE TO THE HEIGHT OF THE WIRES AND THEIR CLOSE PROXIMITY, I WAS COMMITTED TO PASS UNDER THEM.' HE UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO PASS BENEATH THE WIRES AND OVER THE FLAGMAN. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK THE FLAGMAN AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A LEVEE BEFORE CONTROL COULD BE REGAINED. AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING FOLLOWED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:35 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAyres S2R-T34
Tail NumberN4015Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorChristopher Broughton
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-34AG · Turboprop · 783
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT