What happened
On July 28, 2025, at approximately 1537 CDT, an Ayres Corporation S2R-T34 (registration N524SL) was engaged in a Part 137 agricultural application flight near Akron, Iowa. The aircraft, operated by Crop Dusters LLC, had departed from Sioux County Regional Airport (SXK) to apply liquid chemicals to a corn field.
After performing reconnaissance passes to identify obstacles, the pilot began the spraying process. While maneuvering for a northward spray pass, the engine experienced a total loss of power at approximately 70 feet above ground level. The pilot reported that the engine made a sound similar to an explosion immediately before the failure. There had been no prior indications of abnormal engine performance.
Upon noticing that torque and inter-turbine temperature (ITT) had dropped significantly, the pilot feathered the propeller to establish a glide. To avoid potential chemical exposure to people at a nearby house and church, and to prevent the aircraft from drifting toward other structures and wires, the pilot chose not to perform an emergency hopper dump.
The pilot executed a forced landing in a nearby soybean field. During the landing roll, the main landing gear caught in the wet ground, causing the aircraft to nose over. The pilot, who was using a 4-point restraint system, exited the inverted aircraft through a broken left window and sought assistance from a nearby residence.
The accident resulted in 1 serious injury and 0 fatalities. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage.
The investigation
The aircraft was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG turboprop engine and a Hartzell four-blade controllable pitch propeller. Records indicate the engine had undergone an annual inspection on May 15, 2025, and the airframe had an annual inspection on May 16, 2025.