Bonita, LA, USA
N61220
Ayres S2R-T34
N3098R
Ayres S2R-T15
Two single-engine agricultural airplanes collided in flight while maneuvering. Both airplanes were of the same make, but different model and were both operated by the same operator. One aircraft, being flown by a 16,000 hour pilot, had just completed an aerial application mission and initiated a high rate of climb on a westerly heading. The second aircraft, which was being flown by a 10,337-hour pilot, was in cruise flight at 500 feet above the ground, returning to a private grass airstrip on a northerly heading. The propeller of the climbing airplane struck the right wing of the airplane in cruise flight. The pilot of the airplane in cruise banked the airplane to the left and initiated a descent to avoid the climbing airplane. The pilot of the airplane in cruise flight landed without further incident at a nearby grass airstrip, while the pilot of the climbing airplane elected to make a forced landing to a cotton field. The airplane was damaged during the forced landing. The airplanes were not in radio contact with each other at the time of the accident. The operator reported that both pilots had been on duty for at least 8 hours at the time of the collision.
On July 14, 2005, approximately 1630 central daylight time, a single-engine Ayres S2R-T34 agricultural airplane, N61220, and a single-engine Ayres S2R-T15 agricultural airplane, N3098R, collided in-flight while maneuvering near Bonita, Louisiana. N61220 sustained substantial damage and N3098R sustained minor damage. The two commercial rated pilots were not injured. Both aircraft were registered to and operated by McGinty Flying Service of Jones, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans were not filed for either flight. Both airplanes were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. N61220 originated from a private grass airstrip near Jones, Louisiana, and N3098R originated from a private grass airstrip near Bonita, Louisiana, approximately 1500. The 16,000-hour pilot of N61220 reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had just completed spraying a plowed cotton field and was on an westerly heading, when he pulled the airplane to a nose high attitude of approximately 45 degrees. Upon climb out, the airplane's propeller struck the right wing of N3098R, which was crossing overhead on a northerly heading. In a subsequent telephone interview with an NTSB Investigator, the pilot stated that after the collision he, "felt the aircraft begin to vibrate" and decided to reduce power and make a forced landing to a nearby plowed cotton field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a crop row which resulted in damage to the propeller, main landing gear and firewall. The 10,337-hour pilot of N3098R reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the airplane was on a northerly heading at approximately 500 feet above ground level when he caught a glimpse of an airplane climbing towards him off of his right wing. The pilot then banked the airplane to the left and began to descend to try to avoid a collision. The propeller of N61220 struck the right wing of N3098R severing the aft wing spar extension. The pilot then landed without incident at a private grass airstrip near Bonita, Louisiana. The airplanes were not in radio contact with each other at the time of the accident. The operator reported that both pilots had been on duty for over 8 hours at the time of the accident. At 1553, the automated surface observing system (ASOS) at the Monroe Regional Airport, near Monroe, Louisiana, located approximately 28 nautical miles southwest of the accident reported wind from 170 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 16 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 3,800 feet, temperature 89 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.89 inches of Mercury.
The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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