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NTSB Report

April 9, 2012 · Ayres S2R-T15 · N64DX

Lakin, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lakin, KS
Aircraft
Ayres S2R-T15
Tail Number
N64DX
Operator
Tri Rotor Spray & Chemical
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA236

The accident occurred during an aerial-application flight as the pilot maneuvered around a tower. The pilot reported that he had the tower in sight as he maneuvered toward the field being sprayed, and during that turn, the airplane began to shudder as if entering an aerodynamic stall. The pilot attempted to recover from the aerodynamic stall by reducing the elevator input, but the airplane continued to descend rapidly and collided with a tower guy-wire. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot did not maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude.

Full Narrative

On April 9, 2012, at 0930 central daylight time, an Ayres Corporation model S2R-T15 airplane, N64DX, was substantially damaged when it collided with a tower guy-wire during an aerial-application flight near Lakin, Kansas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Tri Rotor Spray & Chemical, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated from Lakin Airport (36K), Lakin, Kansas, about 0920. The pilot reported that he had the tower in sight as he maneuvered back toward the field being sprayed. While in the turn, the airplane began to shudder as if entering an aerodynamic stall. The pilot reduced elevator input in an attempt to recover from the aerodynamic stall as he continued the turn to avoid the tower. He stated that the airplane was descending rapidly when the right wing collided with a tower guy-wire. The airplane subsequently collided with the terrain. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The closest weather observing station was at the Garden City Regional Airport (KGCK), located about 25 miles east of the accident site. At 0930, the KGCK automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 160 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 5 miles with mist; scattered clouds at 800 feet above ground level (agl) and an overcast ceiling at 1,500 feet agl; temperature 13 degrees Celsius; dew point 12 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.14 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAyres S2R-T15
Tail NumberN64DX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTri Rotor Spray & Chemical
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-15AG · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time14:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data