Ayres S2R-T15 N3096K

Summary

On 28 July 1997 at about 17:15 local time, a Ayres S2R-T15 registered N3096K, operated by Arkla Flying Service, was involved in an accident near Oakridge, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 July 1997 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Oakridge, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

32.6199, -91.7691

Aircraft

Ayres S2R-T15

Registration

N3096K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Arkla Flying Service

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mer Rouge → Rayville

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97FA285

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a planned 15 minute positioning flight, the agricultural airplane impacted a tree line of mature trees and dense vegetation. The energy/debris path showed that the airplane impacted into the trees at a high rate of speed in a wings level attitude. The wreckage path encompassed an area about 390 feet long and 100 feet wide. An 8 inch diameter live tree branch was found completely severed with black paint smears corresponding to the paint on the propeller blades. All adjacent quadrants of the tree line were bordered by vast open acres of cultivated fields. Evidence found at the accident site did not reveal any mechanical, powerplant, or system failures. The airplane was mostly consumed by a post impact fire. Toxicological tests were negative, and an autopsy of the pilot did not reveal conclusive evidence of incapacitation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.