Accident Details
On April 9, 2024, at 1444 Pacific daylight time, an Ayres Corporation S2R-G10, registration N40261, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain near Likely, California. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight.
Flight History
An employee of the operator reported that the pilot had picked up the airplane in Williams, California, and flew approximately one hour and thirty minutes to the Alturas Ranch base. Once at the base, the aircraft was loaded with rice for application on a nearby field about one mile away.
According to the fuel truck operator, the pilot applied 8 loads of rice and returned to the base to refuel. After refueling, the pilot departed and applied approximately 7 loads on a nearby field. The fuel truck operator queried the pilot via radio to see if he intended to return for fuel. The pilot responded that he would complete one more application, but he did not return to the base. There were no known witnesses to the accident sequence.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane came to rest inverted on a northerly heading, along the edge of a rice field adjacent to a dirt road. The fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder were partially submerged in water. The outboard 3 ft of the right wing leading edge was crushed. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.