Pilot Debrief

AYRES CORP S2R near Rushville, NE — 2010-05-16

Final reportCEN10LA250
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Date
2010-05-16
Location
Rushville, NE, USA
Airport
GRN
Aircraft
AYRES CORP S2R
Registration
N241WD
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

The pilot overflew one end of the field that he intended to spray and then circled the field one time before beginning to perform aerial application. A witness observed that, while applying chemicals on the first pass, the airplane hit a power line that crossed the field. The witness then saw the airplane impact the terrain inverted. A portion of the rudder and vertical stabilizer were recovered near the wire strike area. Damage to the wreckage indicated the airplane impacted the power line with the vertical stabilizer. No other preimpact anomalies with the airplane were found.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the power line by altering flight path before the first pass.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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