Ayres Corporation S2R-G10 accident near Hot Springs, Arkansas, August 5, 2011
On August 5, 2011 at about 7:20 pm local time, a Ayres Corporation S2R-G10, registered N22592, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hot Springs, Arkansas (Hot Springs Memorial Field). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision not to fully jettison the entire load of water when he realized the airplane was not climbing after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2011 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Hot Springs, Arkansas · Hot Springs Memorial Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres Corporation S2R-G10 · all S2R-G10s on the register
- Registration
- N22592 · no longer on the register · serial G10-138
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he loaded the airplane for a fire suppression mission with 450 gallons of water and calculated that the airplane's takeoff weight was 435 pounds below the maximum takeoff gross weight of 11,500 pounds. Using aircraft performance data, he determined that he would be able to perform the mission given the reported temperature and calculated density altitude. The airplane accelerated normally down the runway with engine instruments all showing full power indications. After liftoff, the pilot raised the flaps and the airplane accelerated to 85 knots. He expected the acceleration to increase to 105 knots during the climb-out, but the airplane did not accelerate normally, although all engine instruments showed full power. The pilot felt the airplane drop about 50 feet straight down, so he squeezed the jettison trigger to release some water. As the airplane continued to descend, the pilot released more water and maneuvered the airplane to avoid hitting houses and trees. Finally, the pilot pulled the nose back to stall the airplane in order to avoid hitting a house. The airplane clipped power lines, hit the edge of a house, and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the tail section. Postaccident examination found no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot noted that he could have jettisoned the entire load of water when the airplane was not climbing, thus reducing the airplane's total weight by 3,800 pounds. This would likely have resulted in a positive rate of climb.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,830 hours in all; 77 in this make and model; 171 in the last 90 days; 90 in the last 30 days; 6,650 as pilot in command; 2,599 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 8, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,930 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 20, 2010; 93 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 11,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett TPE331-10-51 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Western Pilot Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: HOT Hot Springs AR at 7:20 pm
- Destination: HOT Hot Springs AR
- Runway 05, 6,600 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 102°F (39°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.68 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from HOT, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N22592 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.