N4020A

Substantial
Minor

AYRES CORPORATION S2R-R1340S/N: R1340-002DC

Accident Details

Date
Friday, September 7, 2012
NTSB Number
WPR12CA403
Location
Brawley, CA
Event ID
20120906X33200
Coordinates
33.067501, -115.408607
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's decision to attempt to takeoff in high temperatures with a tailwind. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N4020A
Make
AYRES CORPORATION
Serial Number
R1340-002DC
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Model / ICAO
S2R-R1340A660
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
65 OAK CLIFF DR
Status
Deregistered
City
POMONA
State / Zip Code
CA 91766-4858
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that during an agricultural application flight he had erroneously attempted a downwind takeoff after reloading product with the outside temperature estimated at 106 degrees. The airplane departed from the dirt strip westbound, and the pilot was looking directly into the setting sun. The airplane did not climb and impacted a ditch on the west end of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no abnormalities with the aircraft prior to the accident. He stated the wind had shifted while he was reloading and did not notice it until after the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR12CA403