Thrush Aircraft INC S2R-H80 accident near Parkin, Arkansas, May 31, 2018
On May 31, 2018 at about 4:15 pm local time, a 2016 Thrush Aircraft INC S2R-H80, registered N6215P, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Parkin, 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
The improper operation of the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism for an undetermined period of time, which led to the failure of the rudder pedal adjustment track, the detachment of the rudder pedal, and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2018 · about 4:15 pm local time · cases in 2018
- Place
- Parkin, Arkansas · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Thrush Aircraft INC S2R-H80 NO SERIES, built 2016 · all S2R-H80s on the register
- Registration
- N6215P · no longer on the register · serial H80-180DC
- 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 commercial pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll for the agricultural application flight, the right rudder pedal went full forward against the material hopper and that he subsequently could not maintain directional control of the airplane. The airplane subsequently exited the left side of the runway and struck a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right rudder pedal had become detached from the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism due to wear on the adjustment track. The Before Starting Engine checklist included a step to adjust and lock the rudder pedals before starting the engine; however, the condition of the rudder system indicated that the airplane had been operated with the rudder pedal forward of the final detent position and against the safety stop rather than in a locked detent position for an undetermined amount of time. The improper adjustment and locking of the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism over time likely led to the excessive wear on the rudder pedal adjustment track, the detachment of the rudder pedal, and the pilot’s subsequent inability to maintain directional control. After the accident, the airplane manufacturer released a service letter detailing the proper use, rigging, and maintenance of the rudder system, including the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder control system › Failure other cases naming the flight controls
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder control system › Incorrect use/operation other cases naming the flight controls
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,900 hours in all; 1,600 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 991 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 29, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 10,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Ge Aviation Czech H80-100 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Air Aids INC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Parkin MO at 8:30 pm
- Destination: PVT Parkin MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 180, 2,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 16 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from AWM, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – Left rudder pedal from rear
Photo 2 – Left rudder pedal from side
Photo 3 – Right rudder pedalThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on November 8, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Thrush Service Letter | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airplane Flight Manual and Maintenance Manual Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Annual Inspection Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N6215P: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Thrush Aircraft Inc S-2 102 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Engine: Ge Aviation Czech H80-100 28 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in Arkansas 1,582 since 1982 · 176 in the last ten years
- Arkansas 3,492 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN18LA211.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.