# Accident 20020712016179A: Ayres S2RT34NORMAL, Firebaugh, CA, July 12, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 12, 2002, 20:30 local time
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Airport: Firebaugh Airport
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 36.8500° N, 120.4500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8500&lon=-120.4500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4020Y, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4020Y-2013-08-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Ayres S2R-T34 (registry code 0970106, https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-t34) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A (registry code 52043, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AYRES S2RT34NORMAL
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA226) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020712016179A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON JULY 12, 2002, AT 2030 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A AYERS S2R-T34, N4020Y, SUSTAINED A SEPARATED LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL AT THE NEWMAN RANCH STRIP, 5 MILES EAST OF FIREBAUGH, CALIFORNIA. AFTER THE LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE, OWNED AND OPERATED BY THIEL AIR CARE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 137 OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE LOCAL AREA AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT THAT WAS ORIGINATING AT THE TIME. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR FROM THE FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE. HE REPORTED THAT THE EAR WHICH SECURES THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUT TO THE FUSELAGE STRUCTURE HAD FRACTURED AND SEPARATED, ALLOWING THE LEFT GEAR STRUT TO SEPARATE FROM THE FUSELAGE. (-23) THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF TO THE NORTH ON THE NEWMAN CATTLE COMPANIES PRIVATE STRIP, THE STRIP IS 30 FEET WIDE AND PAVED. THE LEFT LANDING GEAR H                   IT A CHUCK HOLE APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET LONG, 3 FEET WIDE AND A MAXIMUM DEPTH OF 3 INCHES, WITH A LIP AT THE NORTH OF THE CHUCK HOLE 1 1/2 TO 2 INCHES DEEP, THE PILOT HAD JUST LOADED THE AIRCRAFT WITH CHEMICAL FOR SPRAYING CROPS. THE LEFT GEAR SHOCK STRUT UPPER ATTACH POINT FAILED WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FUSELAGE. THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET BEFORE THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 25 FEET WHILE VEERING TO THE LEFT 90 DEGREES. THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELED 30 MORE FEET WHEN IT HIT THE DITCH THAT PARALLELS A DIRT ROAD WHICH PARALLELS THE RUNWAY. AT THIS POINT THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX02LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA226), Jul 13, 2002: Ayres S2R-T34 (N4020Y), Firebaugh, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The overload fracture and separation of the left main gear strut assembly due the left landing gear's encounter with a chuck hole in the private airstrip's asphalt pavement. A factor in the accident…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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