# NTSB CEN22LA335: Ayres S2R-T34, N4046S, Parkin, AR, July 23, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 23, 2022, 09:12 local (14:12 UTC) - Place: Parkin, AR - Coordinates: 35.20323, -90.55903 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2032&lon=-90.5590&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 105562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105562/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105562 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA335 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from tower guy wires while maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Ayres S2R-T34, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0970106), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had made multiple aerial application flights before the accident flight. Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) data showed that the airplane made multiple passes over the field north of the tower, which was located in the field. During the final pass over the field, the airplane turned north toward the western guy wires. The airplane struck the guy wires and impacted the terrain north of the tower. The operator’s representative stated that the pilot had been briefed about the field’s obstructions, specifically the location of the tower and its guy wires located in the intended field to be sprayed with fungicide. He stated that the pilot had previously flown over the field more than once. The airplane was destroyed by postcrash fire and impact forces, which prevented confirmation of flight control continuity. The propeller displayed S-shaped bending consistent with power generation. No mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation were noted. Toxicology testing revealed that the pilot had used cannabis. The psychoactive compounds delta-9-THC and delta-8-THC were detected in his heart blood at low concentrations. THC can decrease vigilance and has effects for several hours. However, because of the fat storage and slow release of THC, low concentrations in blood can reflect use several days ago. How recent or frequent the pilot’s use of cannabis was unknown, as was the type of product. Given these unknowns, while the pilot was found to have cannabis in his system, it could not be determined if the concentration would have been impairing and influenced his vigilance about avoiding the antenna hazard. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 2022, at 0912 central daylight time, an Ayres Corporation S2R-T34, N4046S, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Parkin, Arkansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The operator reported that the pilot arrived at work about 0600 and began flying about 0630-0645 and flew multiple flights before the accident. ADS-B data showed that the airplane made multiple passes over the field north of the tower, which was located in the field. During the final pass over the field, the airplane turned north toward the western guy wires. The airplane struck the guy wires and impacted the terrain north of the tower. The operator’s representative stated they talked “a lot” about the field’s obstructions and referenced a map during the discussion. The discussion specifically included the location of the tower and its guy wires located in the intended field to be sprayed with fungicide. They talked about the guy wires at length. The operator’s representative stated that the pilot had previously flown over the field more than once. The operator did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. At the pilot’s most recent FAA medical certification examination on January 21, 2022, he reported taking no medications or having any medical conditions. According to the autopsy report, the pilot’s cause of death was multiple injuries, and the manner of death was accident. No significant natural disease was identified. Toxicology testing detected delta-9-tetrahydocannabinol (delta-9-THC) in the pilot’s heart blood at 1.7 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) and in his urine at 1.4 ng/mL. 11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC (11-OH-delta-9-THC) was detected in his urine at 16.4 ng/mL, but not in his heart blood. Carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC-COOH) was detected in his heart blood at 7.4 ng/mL and in his urine at 40 ng/mL. Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) was detected in the pilot’s heart blood at 3.3 ng/mL and in his urine at 0.8 ng/mL. Carboxy-delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC-COOH) was detected in his heart blood at 15.3 ng/mL and in his urine at 120.7 ng/mL. The airplane main wreckage was located about 200 ft north of the tower. Three of the tower’s four guy wires exhibited shear separation and were pulled in the direction and resting near the main wreckage. The right wing displayed features consistent with the guy wire ripping through the wing structure. The airplane was destroyed by postcrash fire and impact forces. The wings and tail section were not consumed by fire. Due to the accident damage, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors were unable to confirm flight control continuity. The propeller displayed S-shaped bending consistent with power generation. No mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4046S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4046S-2023-02-25), registration cancelled 2023-02-25, S/N T34-266, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-T34 - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-T34](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (registry code 0970106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T34-266 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 10614.8 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Air Aids Inc, doing business as Stokes Flying Service - Registered owner: Mid Continent Aircraft Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2022 - Departed: Earle, AR - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 530 total, 375 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: AWM, 18 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20220723008329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220723008329A), Jul 23, 2022: Ayres Corporation S2R-T34, Parkin, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Saturday 7/23/2022, N4046S, S2R-T34 aircraft s/n T34-266. While performing crop dusting operations, struck the guyed wires of a 561? Radio tower and crashed… ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105562. 6.1 MB in all. - Memorandum of record - pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16798745&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%206120-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 request for form (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16798436&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form%206120;%20AYRES%20CORPORATION%20S2R-T34%20N_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 second request (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16797890&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20second%20request_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of conversation - dennie stokes (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16808105&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20of%20Conversation%20Dennie%20Stokes-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of conversation - daniel butler (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16801470&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20of%20Conversation%20Daniel%20Butler-Rel.pdf - ADS-B track plot (item 6, KMZ, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16796601&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=20220723_A4BEB8_490286950_ADSB-Rel.kmz - ADS-B data (item 7, CSV, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16796269&FileExtension=csv&FileName=20220723_A4BEB8_490286950_ADSB-Rel.csv - Record of examination (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16807540&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Examiniation-Rel.pdf - Wreckage diagram - FAA (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 388 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16806837&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Wreckage%20Diagram-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 10, PDF, 4 pages, 901 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16807091&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Template-Rel.pdf - Aircraft records (item 11, PDF, 13 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16837107&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Records%20Master_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB medical specialist's factual report (item 12, PDF, 4 pages, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16796750&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA335_Parkin_AR_Medical_Factual_FINAL_021623-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16798600&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox%20Master_Redacted-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.