Ayres S2R accident near Glenn, California, May 18, 2010
On May 18, 2010 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Ayres S2R, registered N29254, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Glenn, California (Hamilton City 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
Loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 18, 2010 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Glenn, California · Hamilton City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres S2R
- Registration
- N29254 · registry record · serial R1340-008DC
- 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 on approach to spray a field, the pilot observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. He set up for an emergency landing to a road. During the landing roll, the airplane veered off the road and struck power poles. During a postaccident examination of the engine, no mechanical anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation. The manufacturer noted that the overall condition of the engine exhibited corrosion and heat erosion. The fuel nozzles were covered in a soot and soil combination. When flow tested, the fuel nozzles exceeded the parameters in the component maintenance manual test procedures. The manufacturer stated that the out-of-limit condition may cause hot-section deterioration over time but would not have prevented normal engine operation. The compressor turbine guide vane ring was examined, and blade fractures from overstress were found, along with chipping and flaking of the coating adjacent to the fracture surfaces.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,214 hours in all; 585 in this make and model; 10,923 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 29, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,067 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 12, 2010; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Alaska Air Service LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Hamilton City CA at 11:20 pm
- Destination: PVT Hamilton City CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from RBL, 40 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.
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 documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text 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 WPR10LA247.