Ayres Corporation S2R-G1 accident near Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania, May 21, 2009
On May 21, 2009 at about 1:40 pm local time, a Ayres Corporation S2R-G1, registered N6134T, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania. 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 2009 · about 1:40 pm local time
- Place
- Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres Corporation S2R-G1 · all S2R-G1s on the register
- Registration
- N6134T · no longer on the register · serial G1-103
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While preparing for an aerial agricultural application, the pilot flew over the intended application area twice while setting the global positioning system (GPS). After descending to approximately 50 feet above trees, the pilot began the application process, and was monitoring the GPS, when the airplane's right wing struck a power line. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest in a heavily wooded area. An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wings, tail, and fuselage were substantially damaged. The winds reported at an airport 30 miles to the east of the accident location were calm. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,800 hours in all; 974 in this make and model; 67 in the last 90 days; 29 in the last 30 days; 4,711 as pilot in command; 430 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 14, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,698 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 6, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Airesearch TPE331 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KLHV Lock Haven PA at 12:30 pm
- Destination: KLHV Lock Haven PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from IPT
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.