Introduction
On November 3, 2021, at approximately 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Thrush Ayers Corporation S-2R airplane, registration N8960Q, was destroyed in an accident near Shafter, California. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated by Inland Aviation, Inc., as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight before conducting aerial application activities.
Flight Details
The purpose of the flight was to transport the aircraft to New Cuyama Airport (L88), California, to load dry seed for dispersal at a nearby farm. The pilot had earlier attempted to depart Shafter Airport-Minter Field (MIT) but canceled due to overcast conditions. He eventually departed about 1130. The pilot did not request weather information from Leidos Flight Service or ForeFlight on the day of the accident.
Weather Conditions
At 1125, the automated weather observing system at MIT reported wind from 160° at 3 knots, visibility of 1/2 statute mile, overcast ceiling at 200 ft above ground level (agl), temperature 14°C, dew point 14°C, and altimeter setting of 30.20 inches of mercury. A witness 6 miles west of the airport reported visibility of 1/2 to 1 mile with patchy fog and ceilings about 400 ft agl around 1220. The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast for the nearest major airport expected calm wind, 1/2 mile visibility, fog, and overcast ceiling at 400 ft agl. Post-accident meteorology indicated instrument meteorological conditions along the flight path.
Accident Sequence
A witness who spoke with the pilot before the flight reported the pilot said the fog had cleared briefly and he had missed his “window to leave.” About 20-30 minutes later, the witness heard the airplane start and take off. Another witness noted the pilot had been checking weather and stated, “you just have to get high enough over the top of the weather to get in the clear.”
The single-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear airplane was configured for aerial application with an aerial spray system. It was not equipped with instruments required for instrument flight. The report notes that flight in instrument conditions might have led to the pilot's inability to see visual references, and that without flight instruments, the pilot might experience spatial disorientation. It is likely the pilot was not referencing his instruments and did not recover from a descent into terrain.
Post-Accident Examination
The accident site was located about 1 1/4 miles northwest of runway 26 at MIT. The airplane impacted level, fallow terrain on a westerly heading, with a debris field about 800 ft long. The aircraft struck an irrigation standpipe near the middle of the debris field. A post-impact fire ensued. The accident site had relatively high surface pressure, calm wind, moist surface conditions, and two temperature inversions below 5,000 ft msl.