Ayres S2R-T15 accident near Oakridge, Louisiana, July 28, 1997
On July 28, 1997 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Ayres S2R-T15, registered N3096K, was destroyed in an accident near Oakridge, Louisiana. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 1997 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Oakridge, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres S2R-T15
- Registration
- N3096K · no longer on the register · serial T27-028
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a planned 15 minute positioning flight, the agricultural airplane impacted a tree line of mature trees and dense vegetation. The energy/debris path showed that the airplane impacted into the trees at a high rate of speed in a wings level attitude. The wreckage path encompassed an area about 390 feet long and 100 feet wide. An 8 inch diameter live tree branch was found completely severed with black paint smears corresponding to the paint on the propeller blades. All adjacent quadrants of the tree line were bordered by vast open acres of cultivated fields. Evidence found at the accident site did not reveal any mechanical, powerplant, or system failures. The airplane was mostly consumed by a post impact fire. Toxicological tests were negative, and an autopsy of the pilot did not reveal conclusive evidence of incapacitation.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 6,200 hours in all; 850 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 140 in the last 30 days; 6,120 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,153 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 5, 1997; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,100 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A-34 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 5F6 Mer Rouge LA at 5:15 pm
- Destination: M79 Rayville LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.