NTSB Factual Report

On June 30, 2018, about 1045 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N6307Z, operated by Blackstone Aircraft LLC, was substantially damaged when the right landing gear collapsed during takeoff at Leon's Landing Airport (4AL7), Flat Rock, Alabama. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The agricultural flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight.

The pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with 120 gallons of chemicals and 30 gallons of fuel. During the takeoff roll, after the tail lifted off the runway and the airplane was at 65 mph, the right landing gear "snapped" causing the right wing to drop and strike the runway. The pilot was unable to control the airplane as the right wing and propeller dug into the turf runway. The airplane then spun, departed the runway, and subsequently struck hay bales.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the fuselage aft of the cockpit was twisted and wrinkled, the right wing leading edge was crushed, and the right landing gear separated near the fuselage. The fuel tank and chemical hopper were not breached.

According to FAA records, the single-place externally braced low-wing airplane was manufactured in 1960 and issued a special airworthiness certificate in the restricted category for agricultural operations. The airplane had been operated for 4,543 total hours and the engine had accumulated 5,180 total hours with 400 hours since major overhaul as of its last annual inspection on February 10, 2018. The fixed landing gear was of a spring steel design.

The airplane was retained for further examination.