Ayres S2R-T34 accident near Marked Tree, Arkansas, June 19, 2003
On June 19, 2003 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Ayres S2R-T34, registered N4004U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marked Tree, Arkansas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. Contributing factors were the low altitude flight/maneuver and the static wire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2003 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Marked Tree, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres S2R-T34
- Registration
- N4004U · registry record · serial 6006
- 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 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.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 6,314 hours in all; 2,588 in this make and model; 260 in the last 90 days; 6,243 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 17, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,076 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 5, 2003; 265 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6-34 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6M8 Marked Tree AR at 9:05 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from JBR, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CHI03LA171.