Primary finding
Probable cause
A power loss for undetermined reasons. A factor was: the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was flushing the hopper with water. He made a pass over a field with the spray boom off. As he pulled up to clear a wire, he switched the spray boom on. He initiated a descent into an adjoining field and as he started the roundout, the airplane continued descending. He added full power but the engine did not respond. The airplane touched down on the ground, then lifted off. The pilot had insufficient altitude to clear a knoll at the end of the field, so he pulled the nose up and the airplane collided with trees. Three ground witnesses reported hearing a bang, an explosion, or backfire. Then engine was later functionally tested and it operated satisfactorily.
Source record
Factual narrative
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