N5671X

On June 23, 2005, at 1705 central daylight time, a single-engine Ayers S-2R tail wheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N5671X, registered to and operated by Farm and Ranch Aerial Service, Inc., of Wharton, Texas, was substantially damaged while landing at the Eagle Lake Airport (ELA), near Eagle Lake, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 familiarization flight. The local flight originated from ELA approximately 1630.

The 3,744-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while on final approach for Runway 17 ( 3,801-foot long by 60-foot wide asphalt runway), the airplane crossed over the approach end of the runway at about 55 miles per hour (mph), with the flaps retracted. The pilot stated that he "flared over the runway numbers at approximately two feet above the runway and held the aircraft off in a slightly nose high attitude until the main wheels touched the ground." The pilot added that the "tail wheel touched down slightly after both main wheels touched," and the airplane "settled down on the runway very smoothly."

The pilot further reported that about two seconds after touchdown, he "felt the tail of the aircraft drop approximately one foot," followed by a sudden turn to the left. Despite control inputs by the pilot, the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The pilot added that he aligned the airplane parallel with the runway and added power to attempt to abort the landing and go-around. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collided with a three foot deep ditch and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane rotated 180 degrees, before it came to rest in a left-wing low attitude adjacent to the runway.

The operator reported in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that the airplane seemed slow on approach landing, and "flared 3-5 feet" above the runway, before it "bounced and veered slightly to the right." The operator added that the pilot "over corrected and added full power at the same time," as the airplane veered left before exiting the runway.

According to information gathered by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, two witnesses adjacent to the accident site reported observing the airplane on a "normal approach to landing" and the aircraft veered to the left upon landing, immediately exiting the runway and making an abrupt 180 degree turn.

Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the left main landing gear was folded upwards and that the tail wheel had separated from the aircraft. The rudder sustained structural damage.

At 1904, the automated weather observing system (AWOS) at the Wharton Regional Airport, near Wharton, Texas, located approximately 22 miles northeast of the accident site reported wind from 120 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of Mercury. The pilot reported at the time of the accident, the wind was variable from 160-170 degrees at 5 knots.