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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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August 19, 2003 · Ayres S2R-G6 · N23EG

Breckenridge, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 19, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Breckenridge, MI
Aircraft
Ayres S2R-G6
Tail Number
N23EG
Operator
Gorsuch Earl M
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI03LA278

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the terrain after striking a powerline during an aerial application flight. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane initiate a pass at the field being sprayed. The witnesses reported that airplane struck the bottom wire of a set of powerlines that ran through the field. The witnesses reported seeing a part of the airplane come off when the airplane hit the wire. A postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the vertical stabilizer and rudder had been torn from the airplane. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were found near the powerlines. No pre-impact defects were found with respect to the airplane, it's engine, or systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines during the aerial application pass rendering the airplane uncontrollable. The powerlines were a factor.

Full Narrative

On August 19, 2003, at 0755 eastern daylight time, an Ayres S2R-G6, N23EG, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain after striking a powerline near Breckenridge, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Wheeler, Michigan, at 0715. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane initiate a south to north pass at the field being sprayed. The witnesses reported that airplane struck the bottom wire of a set of powerlines that ran through the field. The witnesses reported seeing a part of the airplane come off when the airplane hit the wire. A postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the vertical stabilizer and rudder had been torn from the airplane. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were found near the powerlines. No pre-impact defects were found with respect to the airplane, it's engine, or systems. The pilot of the airplane initially survived the accident, however, he perished while en-route to the hospital. An autopsy was performed on behalf of the Saginaw County Medical Examiner's Office, on August 21, 2003. A "Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report" listed 0.091 ug/ml Chlorpheniramine detected in the blood. Chlorpheniramine is an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine commonly used for cold and allergy symptoms.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAyres S2R-G6
Tail NumberN23EG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGorsuch Earl M
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAiresearch · TPE331-6 · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time11:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data