Probable cause
The partial collapse of the right main landing gear during landing due to an improper previous weld repair to the right main landing gear and subsequent corrosion, which resulted in a loss of directional control and impact with terrain.
NTSB analysis
During landing, the right main landing gear hit a pothole on the runway and partially collapsed, which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control. The pilot's efforts to regain directional control were unsuccessful, and the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upright in a ditch on the right side of the runway. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. A postaccident examination revealed undocumented, improper previous weld repairs to the right main landing gear, which led to undetected corrosion in that area.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA384 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 28, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Heth, Arkansas
- Nearest airport
- Blackfish Airstrip (NONE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Ayres Corporation S2R-T34
- N-number
- N455JM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.