National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Shafter, CA Accident Number: WPR22FA026

Date & Time: November 3, 2021, 11:30 Local Registration: N8960Q
Aircraft: AYRES CORPORATION S-2R Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted
Part 137: Agricultural
Under:

On November 3, 2021, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, an Ayers Corporation S-2R Thrush airplane,
N8960Q, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Shafter, California. The pilot was
fatally injured. The airplane was operated by Inland Aviation, Inc., as a Title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight.

A witness who spoke with the pilot prior to the flight, stated that the pilot said it [fog] had cleared for a
few moments and that he had missed his “window to leave.” About 20-30 minutes later someone had
told the witness the pilot had departed. Another witness who spoke with the pilot prior to the flight,
stated that the pilot had been in and out of the office to use the phone and to check weather. His last
comment to the witness was, “…you just have to get high enough over the top of the weather to get in
the clear.” Another witness who was notified of the accident at 1220, was at his house about 6 miles
west of the airport. He stepped outside and stated that the visibility was 1/2 to 1 mile of patchy fog, and
low ceilings of about 400 ft above ground level (agl).

According to the operator, the purpose of the flight to New Cuyama (L88), California, was to load the
accident airplane with dry seed to disperse at a farm near L88. The pilot attempted to depart Shafter
Airport-Minter Field (KMIT) Shafter, California, earlier in the morning but had canceled the flight due
to the overcast conditions at KMIT. The pilot departed on the accident flight about 1120.

MIT was situated at an elevation of 424 ft above mean sea level. It was equipped with three paved
runways. The runway used, designated 8/26, which measured 3,680 ft by 60 ft. KMIT was not equipped
with an air traffic control tower.

The 1119 Meadows Field Airport (KBFL), Bakersfield, California, automated weather observation,
located about 8 miles to the southeast of the accident site, reported winds from 230° at 4 knots, visibility
1-3/4 miles, mist, and overcast clouds at 400 ft agl.

An examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted level fallow terrain about 1-1/4
miles northwest of KMIT. The debris field was about 800 ft long, on a westerly heading. The airplane

Page 1 of 2 WPR22FA026
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
impacted terrain, then an irrigation standpipe located near the middle of the debris field. A postimpact
fire ensued.

The wreckage was relocated to a secured facility for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AYRES CORPORATION Registration: N8960Q

Model/Series: S-2R Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:
Operator: Operating Certificate(s) Agricultural aircraft (137)
Held:
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBFL,489 ft msl Observation Time: 11:19 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 14°C /13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 230°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 400 ft AGL Visibility: 0.75 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Shafter, CA Destination: New Cuyama, CA (L88)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal Latitude, 35.519039,-119.21833 (est)
Longitude:

Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
Additional Participating Persons:
Note:
Swick, Andrew
Todd Lambeth; Federal Aviation Administration; Fresno, CA
Jennifer McDuffie; Honeywell; Phoenix, AZ

Page 2 of 2 WPR22FA026
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.