N3024U

On June 6, 1999, at 0830 central daylight time, an Ayers S2R-G10, N3024U, operated by Top Hat Aerial Application, Inc., was substantially damaged during takeoff roll when the airplane veered off the runway. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was departing runway 12R at the North Platte Regional Airport, North Platte, Nebraska, on a local flight. The airplane veered to the right and went off the runway. Substantial damage occurred to the left wing when the left main landing gear collapsed. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that during takeoff roll, the aircraft "...started to go suddenly to the right. I used full left rudder and then applied left brake. [The] A/C continued right and went off [the] runway...." The pilot reported that the airplane had a counter-rotating propeller, and that during takeoff left rudder was required for directional control. He reported that he thought a gust of wind might have occurred. He reported that, "I was behind it."