2009 Ayres S2R-T34 Crash Near Craig Craft Airport (N357CA)

Accident Overview and Flight History On July 10, 2009, at approximately 1927 EDT, an Ayres Corporation S2R-T34, registration N357CA, crashed in a cornfield near Craig Craft Airport (86NC) in Hertford, North Carolina. The aircraft, registered to Craft Air Services LLC and operated by Craft Air Service, Inc., sustained substantial damage, resulting in the death of the certificated commercial pilot. The flight, a 14 CFR Part 91 other work use operation, originated from 86NC at 1907 under visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The pilot, the founder and chief pilot of the company, had previously flown the aircraft for about 14 minutes that day to perform water spray passes. This was his first flight in a turbine-powered Ayres airplane. Before the accident flight, he filled the left fuel tank with Jet A and added 225 gallons of water to the hopper tank. Witnesses reported a normal departure, after which the pilot made practice spray runs over a cornfield and an open area. During a radio exchange, the pilot stated he wanted to make a few more passes to get the feel of the plane. A witness noted an unusual propeller sound during the final pull-up and turn, followed by a solid sound, before the crash was discovered.