N3024U

On August 29, 2005, at 1530 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-G10, N3024U, collided with a corn crop and the terrain while taking off from a private airstrip in Davenport, North Dakota. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that he was taking off to the northeast with a full chemical load when the accident occurred. He stated that the airplane became airborne when he was approximately halfway down the 2,640 foot long grass airstrip, but it didn't accelerate. He stated he "eased back on the stick but nothing happened." He stated he then pulled back on the stick in an attempt to clear the corn field at the end of the airstrip, but the airplane did not climb. The airplane collided with the eight to nine foot tall corn crop.

Post accident inspection of the airplane by an inspector from the FAA Fargo, North Dakota, Flight Standards District Office, did not reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have prevented the airplane from gaining altitude. The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane.