Ayres Corporation S2R accident near El Reno, Oklahoma, May 30, 2018
On May 30, 2018 at about 9:18 pm local time, a 1997 Ayres Corporation S2R, registered N2249B, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near El Reno, Oklahoma. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from tower guy wires while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2018 · about 9:18 pm local time
- Place
- El Reno, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres Corporation S2R T34, built 1997 · all S2Rs on the register
- Registration
- N2249B · no longer on the register · serial T34-223
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was performing an aerial application flight when the airplane impacted radio tower guy wires about 125 ft above ground level. The wreckage path consisted of broken guy wires with yellow paint transfer consistent with the paint on the lower section of the airplane. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and autopsy and toxicology of the pilot did not reveal any evidence of physiological impairment or incapacitation. The radio tower was depicted on the map that the pilot had with him for spraying operations, and the pilot's son stated that the pilot had flown aerial application flights over the field for several years. Witnesses to the accident stated the airplane was flying normally before it impacted the guy wires, nosed up, and immediately descend to the ground. Although aware of the tower, the pilot did not maintain sufficient clearance from the guy wires while spraying the field, which resulted in the in-flight collision with the wires.
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 with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: O53 Medford OK
- Destination: OK71 Carrier OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 pm from KRCE, 8 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 NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.