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NTSB Report
July 23, 1983 · Ayres Turbo Thrush S2R-34 Turbo THRU · N57SK
Avenal, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Avenal, CA
Aircraft
Ayres Turbo Thrush S2R-34 Turbo THRU
Tail Number
N57SK
Operator
Baldrick Crop Dusters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA353
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING AERIAL APPLICATION. THE ACFT HOPPER WAS INADVERTENTLY SET ON FULL OPEN FOR THE 3RD OPERATION OF THE DAY. THERE IS NO INDICATOR IN THE COCKPIT TO SHOW THE PILOT THE POSITION OF THE GATE STOP. WHEN THE PILOT OPENED THE HOPPER GATE EXPECTING IT TO OPEN HALF-WAY IT OPENED ALL THE WAY. THE ACFT BALLOONED AS A RESULT AND COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LEVEL THE ACFT BUT COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF MATERIAL FROM THE HOPPER ON THE WINDSHIELD AND HE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING AERIAL APPLICATION. THE ACFT HOPPER WAS INADVERTENTLY SET ON FULL OPEN FOR THE 3RD OPERATION OF THE DAY. THERE IS NO INDICATOR IN THE COCKPIT TO SHOW THE PILOT THE POSITION OF THE GATE STOP. WHEN THE PILOT OPENED THE HOPPER GATE EXPECTING IT TO OPEN HALF-WAY IT OPENED ALL THE WAY. THE ACFT BALLOONED AS A RESULT AND COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LEVEL THE ACFT BUT COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF MATERIAL FROM THE HOPPER ON THE WINDSHIELD AND HE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAyres Turbo Thrush S2R-34 Turbo THRU
Tail NumberN57SK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBaldrick Crop Dusters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-34AG · Turboprop · 750
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310°
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO