Ayres S2R-T34 N3095X

Summary

On 17 August 1996 at about 14:45 local time, a Ayres S2R-T34 registered N3095X was involved in an accident near W. Helena, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. One person on the ground also died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 August 1996 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

W. Helena, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Thompson-Robbins (HEE)

Coordinates

35.4002, -90.7490

Aircraft

Ayres S2R-T34

Registration

N3095X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA349

1 person had minor injuries.

The inadequate visual lookout of the vehicle driver and his inadvertent driving of the vehicle onto the runway resulting in the pilot of the departing aircraft performing an evasive maneuver in an attempt to avoid the collision.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff roll, the pilot observed a vehicle enter from a taxiway onto the runway. The left wing of the airplane struck the truck as the pilot attempted to avoid the collision. The airport construction (VOR/DME installation) work schedule was Monday through Thursday and the pilot was aware of the construction project and that work was not scheduled for Saturdays. Project specifications and safety guidelines to all employees and suppliers included the following: aircraft has right-of-way over any vehicle, before crossing or entering on to a runway or taxiway come to a complete stop, and never proceed onto a runway without proper authorization. Construction personnel reported that the accident date was not a scheduled work day, no other personnel were at the site, and the truck driver had worked the airport site on Friday. However, the driver's job site for Saturday was not the airport and it was not known why the driver went to the airport instead of the assigned location. Toxicological testing (truck driver) by the state crime lab detected cannabinoids and alcohol; however, lab personnel stated that the cannabinoids were not quantified and the alcohol was below the state limit.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.