Pilot Debrief

Ayres S2R near Shellman, GA — 2019-10-18

Final reportERA20LA017
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Date
2019-10-18
Location
Shellman, GA, USA
Aircraft
Ayres S2R
Registration
N762BF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed a private field with about 120 gallons of fuel on board and performed an agricultural aerial application. About 1 hour into the flight, while returning to his home base, the engine began surging “as if it were starving of fuel.” He performed a precautionary landing in a pasture, and during the landing rollout he ground looped the airplane to avoid an obstacle. During the ground loop the right main and tailwheel landing gear collapsed. After the airplane came to rest, a fire emanating from the engine nacelle consumed most of the fuselage. A follow up examination of the wreckage was not performed, as it was prematurely sold before the examination could take place. Thus, the reason for the engine surging could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before departure to prevent engine surging.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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