STRATFORD, CA, USA
N4930X
AYRES S2R
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT WITH 360 GALLONS OF CHEMICAL ABOARD THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH 50 FOOT HIGH POWER TRANSMISSION POLE WHILE THE PILOT WAS EXECUTING A LOW LEVEL TURN. THE PILOT HAD WORKED ABOUT TEN HOURS AND COMPLETED SIX FLIGHTS BEFORE BEGINNING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.
On July 28, 1993, at 0600 hours Pacific daylight time, an Ayres S2R, N4930X, collided with a power pole after takeoff from a dirt strip located about 7 miles southeast of Stratford, California. The airplane was being operated by Salyer Farms, Corcoran, California, under 14 CFR Part 137. The airplane was destroyed by the post impact fire. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The first flight had commenced about 2000 hours on July 27, 1993. The pilot was taking off from an airstrip starting his seventh aerial application flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was loaded with 350 gallons of liquid fertilizer. The pilot indicated he had taken off to the west and turned right about 160 degrees when he saw power transmission wires. The wires at first appeared to go below the airplane's flight path. The pilot then noticed the wires coming into view. The pilot added full power, but the airplane struck the 50-foot high pole supporting the wires. The pilot stated the airplane did not respond to the power application as it normally does.
THAT THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S FATIGUE AND THE LIGHT CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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