Ayres S2R-T15 accident near Morton, Mississippi, August 17, 2008
On August 17, 2008 at about 6:05 pm local time, a Ayres S2R-T15, registered N4015P, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Morton, Mississippi. 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 trees during low altitude maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 17, 2008 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Morton, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres S2R-T15
- Registration
- N4015P · no longer on the register · serial T15-004
- 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 airplane departed for a scheduled agriculture application from a private airstrip after uploading fuel and pesticide. Authorities were notified once the airplane did not return and it was noted the application was not sprayed on the intended crop. The airplane was located later that evening, approximately a ¼-mile from the intended area of application. The airplane impacted trees on a southerly heading, and several trees and branches were observed cut along the airplane descent path into a wooded area. The airplane separated into several sections during the impact sequence. Examination of the wreckage established flight control continuity, and all separations were from impact forces. All flight controls surfaces and its systems were found at the accident sight. There were no indications of any mechanical discrepancies to any of the engine’s components. Damages to the engine were consistent with the engine at mid to high power range at the time of impact. There were no discrepancies noted that would have prevented normal operation of the propeller. All damage was consistent with impact damage. The propeller was rotating and not feathered, and damages to the blades were consistent with operating at high power at the time of impact. Weather information for the times and area of the accident site revealed no weather conditions existed that would have adverse effect on the pilot and the airplane during the accident flight.
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 uncontrolled descent
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 19,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,261 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 17, 2008; 408 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney Of Canada PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Canton MS at 5:45 pm
- Destination: NONE Canton MS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,200 ft; scat at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from JAN, 24 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 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.
Other NTSB records under N4015P the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.