# NTSB FTW04LA159: Ayres S-2R, N3104S, Eagle Lake, TX, June 11, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 2004, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Eagle Lake, TX - Coordinates: 29.978332, -96.56472 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9783&lon=-96.5647&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59428 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59428/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA159 ## Probable cause The partial collapse of the left main landing gear as a result of a failure of the fuselage structure due to corrosion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - fuselage,attachment - failure (cause) - fuselage,attachment - corroded (cause) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis During takeoff roll on runway 17 (a 3,801 feet long and 60 feet wide asphalt runway), the airplane "pulled" to the left and veered off the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear partially collapsed. The fuselage tubular structure failed near a previous weld repair that was not documented in the maintenance records. The fracture surfaces displayed evidence of corrosion. ## Factual narrative On June 11, 2004, at 1030 central daylight time, an Ayres S-2R single-engine agricultural airplane, N3104S, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during take-off at Eagle Lake Airport (ELA) near Eagle Lake, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Farm and Ranch Aerial Service Inc., of Wharton, Texas, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's statement in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), during takeoff roll on runway 17 (a 3,801 feet long and 60 feet wide asphalt runway), the airplane "pulled" to the left and veered off the runway. The main landing gear entered soft terrain, and the aircraft nosed into the ground. The aircraft came to rest upright on the left side of the runway. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left main landing gear partially collapsed. Inspection revealed the fuselage tubular structure failed near a previous weld repair that was not documented in the maintenance records, and the fracture surfaces displayed evidence of corrosion. In addition, the left wing main spar and the left aileron were wrinkled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3104S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3104S-2022-06-04), registration cancelled 2022-06-04, S/N R1340-025, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres S-2R - Registry model: [Ayres S2R-R1340](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayres-s2r-r1340) (registry code 0970210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1340-025 - Engines: Garrett TPE331-6 840 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Farm and Ranch Aerial Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: ELA, Eagle Lake, TX - Airport: ELA, Eagle Lake Airport, runway 17, 3,801 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: SGR ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040611012169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040611012169A), Jun 11, 2004: Ayres S2RR1340NORM, Eagle Lake, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Substantial damage to aircraft following a failure of the left main landing gear support tube. During takeoff on runway 35, the aircraft drifted left and… ## Other investigations on N3104S (2) 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 CEN20LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA276), Jul 12, 2020: Rockwell S2R R1340 (N3104S), Keokuk, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation of a fuel vent line during maintenance, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB CEN11CA301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA301), Apr 25, 2011: Ayres S2R-R1340 (N3104S), Estelline, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.