Probable cause
The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Contributing to the accident was the weight of the airplane and the high ambient temperature.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, the airplane was fully loaded with chemicals for the aerial application flight, and the ambient temperature was high. As the airplane reached the end of the runway during the takeoff roll and lifted off, it struck an embankment, impacted a field, and caught fire.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA555 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 23, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pocahontas, Arkansas
- Nearest airport
- Private Airstrip (NONE)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aero Commander S2R
- N-number
- N8820Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.