Ayres S2R N4006K

Summary

On 14 June 1996 at about 15:22 local time, a Ayres S2R registered N4006K was involved in an accident near Oracle, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 June 1996 at 15:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Oracle, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.5110, -111.5804

Aircraft

Ayres S2R

Registration

N4006K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mesa → San Manuel

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX96LA230

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's improper decision to turn toward rising terrain, without releasing or jettisoning the load of fire retardant, while maneuvering at slow airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the proximity of rising terrain, and high density altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot configured the aircraft to drop fire retardant over a fire with a planned downhill turn to the left after the release, so as to avoid rising bowl type terrain to the right. He did not release the retardant, when over the fire as expected; instead, he raised the flaps, added power, and turned to the right. During the right turn, he was close to a stall and reportedly encountered a downdraft. He rolled wings level to control a collision with the ground. He did not use the emergency release handle to drop the load. The aircraft was operating near its maximum gross weight, and the density altitude was about 7,700 feet. Examination of the drop system, including the emergency release mechanism, did not indicate a malfunction or failure. A witness flying overhead observed that the aircraft entered the right turn into the bowl area with an estimated airspeed of about 60 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.