AYRES CORPORATION S2R-T34

Full Narrative

On August 10, 2009, at 1525 eastern daylight time, an Ayers Corporation S2R-T34, N2292E, registered to Kent Croom Aviation, experienced a collapse of the right main landing gear during landing roll at a private airstrip in Donalsonville, Georgia. The aerial application flight was operated by the certificated commercial pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from the same private airstrip at 1500.

According to the pilot, during landing the right main gear collapsed. The airplane skidded off the runway to the right.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found the right main gear failed at an improper weld repair made on the main strut. Damage to the airplane consisted of the right main gear and engine firewall.

A review of the Landing Gear Repair Manual 4-102, Page 4-73, AC 43.13-1B, found that the repair of the landing gear should include the use of a two-piece reinforcement sleeve and made of the same material and at least the same gauge as the damaged tube. The repair made on the main strut had neither, just a bead of weld across the crack in the strut.