Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the P-3 tube resulting in the loss of engine power.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the commercial pilot, he was maneuvering the airplane to apply fertilizer to a customer's field when the engine lost power. The commercial pilot performed a forced landing to a flooded rice field resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar and firewall. An examination of the engine revealed that the P-3 tube had failed. No other anomalies were noted with the airplane's airframe, engine, or related systems.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 29, 2009, approximately 1900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Incorporated AT-602, N5192T, owned and operated by R & W Flying Incorporated, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Knobel, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. The commercial pilot was not injured. The local flight departed a private airstrip just prior to the accident. According to the commercial pilot, he was maneuvering the airplane to apply "fertilizer to a customer's field" when the engine lost power. The commercial pilot performed a forced landing to a "flooded rice field." An examination of the airframe revealed that the left wing spar was bent and the firewall wrinkled. The engine was examined under the auspices of a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector. The examination revealed that the P-3 tube had failed. No other anomalies were noted with the airplane, airframe, engine or related systems.