Pilot Debrief

AYRES S2R-G6 near Ainsworth, IA — 2009-07-01

Final reportCEN09LA403
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Date
2009-07-01
Location
Ainsworth, IA, USA
Aircraft
AYRES S2R-G6
Registration
N60015
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A component failure of the fuel control unit, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The airplane experienced a loss of engine power while maneuvering at a low altitude during an aerial application flight. The pilot was unable to regain engine power after he turned the boost pump on and moved the throttle control to the full forward position. He then performed a forced landing on terraced terrain. A postaccident engine examination revealed evidence of continued rotation when the airplane impacted the ground. Examination of the fuel control unit (FCU) revealed that the bellows spring was fractured and the overspeed governor ball head bearing retainer was fragmented. Pieces of the fragmented retainer were found within the flow divider and fuel manifold. An unidentified contaminant was observed on the bearing race shoulder which misaligned the ball head bearing. The FCU was reportedly overhauled in 2003, but there were no component or aircraft records indicating the FCU's maintenance and installation since its manufacture. A search of the Federal Aviation Administration's service difficulty database did not specifically cite failures of the ball head bearing retainer, and the failures that were listed did not indicate the nature of those failures. The FCU manufacturer reported having no record of failures of the ball head bearing retainer; however, the repair facility that overhauled the FCU reported they had seen failures of the ball head bearing retainer.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not turn on the igniter before attempting to regain engine power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 14 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents14

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