Ayres S2R accident near Perry, Georgia, June 27, 2020
On June 27, 2020 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 1999 Ayres S2R, registered N4032L, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Perry, Georgia (Private airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The reported malfunction of the aileron flight control system during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2020 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Perry, Georgia · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ayres S2R T34, built 1999
- Registration
- N4032L · registry record · serial T34-264
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and observed no discrepancies. While taxiing for takeoff he performed a check of the flight controls, adding there were no discrepancies and the gust lock was free. He initiated takeoff, and when the flight was 20 ft above the runway, he noted the airplane was right wing low. He applied left aileron control input but noted the control did not move. He then also applied right aileron control input, but it wouldn’t move to the right either. He aborted the takeoff and thought about dumping the load of chemical but did not. The airplane touched down on the grass portion of his runway and bounced three times. On the third bounce he reported both main landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid into the nearby field and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the bottom of the fuselage. Examination of the flight control system was unable to identify any obstructions or other issues.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during takeoff defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Aileron control system › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 25,000 hours in all; 20,000 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 1, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,709.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 2020; 130 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 9,709 hours total
The flight
- Runway 17, 2,845 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from WRB, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 27, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of NTSB Conversation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.