Ayres S2R-600 N8520V

Summary

On 11 March 2004 at about 18:00 local time, a Ayres S2R-600 registered N8520V was involved in an accident near Calipatria, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 March 2004 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Calipatria, California, United States

Nearest airport

Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airpor (KCLR)

Coordinates

33.1439, -115.5761

Aircraft

Ayres S2R-600

Registration

N8520V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Calipatria → Calipatria

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04CA153

Nobody was injured.

the failure of ground personnel to refuel the airplane with the proper fuel grade/octane, resulting in the airplane's loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to detect the fuel problem during a preflight inspection.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and ground looped during an off airport landing in a plowed field. Prior to takeoff, the pilot loaded the airplane with chemical application and had the left tank filled with fuel. After the airplane was airborne, he felt the engine lose power, but the instrument gauges showed normal indications. He decided to open the dump gate in an effort to release the chemical load, and prevent the airplane from stalling. The airplane lost complete power, and the pilot began to search for adequate terrain to land. During touchdown in a plowed field, the airplane bounced back into the air and veered to the left, crossing several field rows. During the second touchdown, the main wheels crossed the plowed furrows and the airplane ground looped. After the accident the pilot found out that prior to departure, the airplane was refueled with Jet-A fuel, as opposed to the required Avgas. While at the fuel island, a new employee had mistakenly filled the Avgas fuel truck with Jet-A fuel. The employee then used the Jet-A fuel in the truck to refuel the airplane. In an effort to help avoid similar problems, the operator has ordered new nozzles for the fueling points to help distinguish the Jet-A tank from Avgas tank. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.