Ayres Corporation S2R-G10 accident near Derner, CA
On April 9, 2024, an Ayres Corporation S2R-G10 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Derner, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 9, 2024
- Place
- Derner, CA
- Aircraft
- Ayres Corporation S2R-G10 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.300°N, 120.559°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240409194065
Official records · WPR24FA123
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn April 9, 2024, at 1444 Pacific daylight time, an Ayres Corporation S2R-G10 airplane, N40261, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Derner, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. According to the pilot’s co-workers, about 0830 on the day of the accident, the pilot flew the airplane from the operator’s facility in Williams, California, to an airstrip near a rice farm about 174 miles northeast. The airplane departed with full fuel tanks, and the co-workers stated the flight normally takes about 70 to 90 minutes. After the pilot departed the operator’s facility, he texted the mechanic, stating the airplane’s fuel gauge was inoperative. The mechanic explained that the gauge did not read fuel quantities greater than 82 gallons per tank. The pilot also told the mechanic that the airplane’s fuel gauge was slower to respond to fuel quantity changes than other airplanes. About 0930, the pilot landed at the airstrip where workers loaded the airplane’s hopper with wild rice, and the pilot subsequently seeded eight hopper loads of rice on the paddies. About 1230, the pilot returned to the airstrip, requested another load of rice, and asked the fuel truck operators to fuel the airplane to 3/4 of its capacity. The pilot then applied another seven or eight loads of rice to the fields. About 1400, the pilot returned to the airstrip and informed his co-workers that he was feeling unwell and was going to conclude the workday early after a
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor his fuel supply, resulting in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and the airplane’s impact with terrain.
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Browse: California · Ayres aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
