Ayres S2R-T34 N4004U

Summary

On 19 June 2003 at about 21:15 local time, a Ayres S2R-T34 registered N4004U was involved in an accident near Marked Tree, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 June 2003 at 21:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Marked Tree, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

35.5333, -90.4017

Aircraft

Ayres S2R-T34

Registration

N4004U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marked Tree → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03LA171

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. Contributing factors were the low altitude flight/maneuver and the static wire.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The aircraft was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a static wire and, subsequently, the terrain during an agricultural application pass. The pilot reported that he had completed applying fertilizer to the main portion of a field and had turned to "trim the ends." He stated that the airplane's "wings dipped" when he flew through the aircraft's "prop wash or [a] whirlwind" and the landing gear then struck the wire He noted: "I couldn't pull out so I pulled [the] throttle to full reverse and then hit the ground." The pilot reported the aircraft and engine were operating normally prior to, and at the time of, the accident. The pilot stated weather conditions at the scene were 10 miles visibility, northeast winds at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots, and light turbulence. Conditions at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR), located 19 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1553, were reported as: few clouds at 5,000 feet above ground level, 9 miles visibility and winds from 360 degrees at 7 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.