Primary finding
Probable cause
Proper rotation speed not attained by the pilot
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Although the pilot stated that liftoff was normal the airplane settled back to the runway shortly after takeoff and impacted a rice levee, knocking the left main gear loose. The airplane subsequently climbed and the pilot continued the aerial application flight. During the return flight landing roll, on the terrain adjacent to the runway, the main gear folded under the wings and the pilot lost control of the airplane
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 14, 1993, at approximately 1100 central daylight time an Ayres S2R T34, N3098W, near Weiner, Arkansas, sustained substantial damage during landing when the main gear collapsed. The commercial pilot did not sustain injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight. During telephone interviews, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the investigator in charge with the operator and pilot, the following information was revealed. During the initial lift off from the runway, the airplane settled back onto the runway and the left main gear impacted a rice levee at the end of the runway. With the gear loose, the airplane maintained flight and the pilot continued the planned mission. After spraying the field, the pilot returned to the airstrip for landing. During the landing roll, on the terrain adjacent to the runway, control of the airplane was lost as both main gear folded under the wings. The airplane was released to the owner following the investigation. -