NTSB Factual Report

On June 19, 2003, at 1615 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-T34, N4004U, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a wire and subsequently impacted the terrain during an agricultural application pass 4 miles west of the Marked Tree Municipal Airport (6M8), Marked Tree, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 137 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight departed 6M8 at 1605.

The pilot's written statement reported that he had completed applying fertilizer to the main portion of a field and had "turned northeast to southwest to trim the ends" of the field. He stated that the airplane's "wings dipped" when he flew through the aircraft's "prop wash or [a] whirlwind." The landing gear then struck the wire, according to the pilot. He noted: "I couldn't pull out so I pulled [the] throttle to full reverse and then hit the ground."

The pilot reported the aircraft and engine were operating normally prior to, and at the time of, the accident.

The pilot stated weather conditions at the scene were 10 miles visibility, northeast winds at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots, and light turbulence.

Conditions at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR), located 19 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1553, were reported as: few clouds at 5,000 feet above ground level, 9 miles visibility and winds from 360 degrees at 7 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire. Contributing factors were the low altitude flight/maneuver and the static wire.