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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 25, 2016 · Ayres S 2R Undesignat · N3003N

Cordele, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 25, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cordele, GA
Aircraft
Ayres S 2R Undesignat (1995)
Tail Number
N3003N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16CA451

According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at low altitude, while performing an agricultural aerial application flight. He reported that he decided to fly underneath power lines and misjudged the height of the lines in relation to the airplane. He recalled that the airplane's vertical stabilizer and rudder struck the power lines. He landed the airplane in a field and the landing gear collapsed. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector that interviewed the pilot shortly after the accident, reported that the pilot stated that the sun was in his eyes as he passed under the power lines. He reported that the pilot did not immediately execute a precautionary landing after striking the lines; instead he made one more spray pass. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations. During the course of the investigation, the NTSB Investigator-in-charge attempted to contact the pilot on multiple occasions to no avail. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120.1.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight while flying toward the sun.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at low altitude, while performing an agricultural aerial application flight. He reported that he decided to fly underneath powerline wires and misjudged the height of the wires in relation to the airplane. He recalled that the airplane's vertical stabilizer and rudder struck the powerline wires. He landed the airplane in a field and the landing gear collapsed. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector that interviewed the pilot shortly after the accident, reported that the pilot stated that the sun was in his eyes as he passed under the powerline wires. He reported that the pilot did not immediately execute a precautionary landing after striking the wires; instead he made one more spray pass. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations. During the course of the investigation, the NTSB Investigator-in-charge attempted to contact the pilot on multiple occasions to no avail. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120.1.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAyres S 2R Undesignat
Tail NumberN3003N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt Whitney · PT 6 A 34AG · Turboprop · 550
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.21 inHg
Observation Time13:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data