N3104S

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.