Ayres Corporation S2R T34 N3097F accident near Buckeye, Arizona

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel.

NTSB analysis

The operator reported that the commercial pilot had conducted agricultural flights in the airplane for about 2 to 3 hours earlier on the morning of the accident without problems. During the initial climb for the accident flight, about 30 ft above ground level, the engine lost partial power. Subsequently, the pilot conducted an emergency landing straight ahead, and the airplane descended and impacted a field, during which the wings and fuselage were substantially damaged.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Fuel samples were taken from the fuel tanks and the operator's fuel supply tank. Testing of the samples revealed that the fuel from both the airplane's fuel tanks and the operator's supply tank were essentially water. It is likely that the loss of engine power was due to water contamination of the fuel.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA371 for the full record.