Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the wake turbulence from a previous pass.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the aerial application flight he made the first pass over a field where the wind was light and variable. He then turned around and flew a pass over a tree line and descended "maybe a little low," where he flew the airplane through the wake turbulence from his previous pass. According to the pilot, the turbulence disrupted the "round out" to the field and the airplane's wheels and left wing contacted the corn. The airplane turned sideways, slid backwards, and its empennage sustained substantial damage when it deformed. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA403 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 28, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Minden, Nebraska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Ayres Corporation S2R-G10
- N-number
- N3299Z
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- 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.