Ayres Corporation S2R T34 accident near Wilmont, Arkansas, June 7, 2014
On June 7, 2014 at about 9:07 pm local time, a 1999 Ayres Corporation S2R T34, registered N23034, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Wilmont, Arkansas (Private airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Pilot's failure to verify the amount of chemical load on the airplane prior to takeoff which resulted in the airplane being heavier than expected. Contributing to the accident was loading crew not following the pilot's instructions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 7, 2014 · about 9:07 pm local time
- Place
- Wilmont, Arkansas · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres Corporation S2R T34 T34, built 1999 · all S2R T34s on the register
- Registration
- N23034 · registry record · serial T34-259
- 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 stated that on the day of the accident he had sprayed 13 loads of fertilizer and was beginning the 14th load when the accident occurred. The pilot informed the loading crew to load 400 gallons of fertilizer, which was the same amount that he had used on the previous flights. The pilot initiated the takeoff and the airplane became airborne, but was unable to gain enough altitude to clear the corn crop at the end of the airstrip. The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage when it settled into the corn. The pilot reported that after the accident, it was determined that the hopper had been filled with 480 gallons of fertilizer. The pilot stated that since he cannot see how much fertilizer was loaded from his seat, he has to trust the loading crew to properly load the fertilizer. The pilot reported there were no mechanical issues with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.
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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Following instructions › Ground crew
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 199,334 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 19,929 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 20, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,992 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 20, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A SER (turboprop); 10,992 hours total
- Operator: Mcginty Flying Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Wilmont AR
- Destination: PVT Wilmont AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 2,100 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 pm from BQP, 27 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.
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.