Primary finding
Probable cause
a catastrophic internal engine failure for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the dark nighttime lighting conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot had finished the aerial application mission and was returning to the airstrip. The engine began to lose oil pressure and power and the pilot diverted to a dirt airstrip on a mesa, which is not equipped with runway lights. As the aircraft neared the dirt airstrip, the engine seized. The pilot touched down adjacent to the dirt runway and a wing collided with a berm. The operator reported that the engine sustained a catastrophic internal failure. No apparent cause was reported for the failure. The night was dark with no moon for illumination.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 10, 1994, at 2045 mountain standard time, a Rockwell S- 2R, N4977X, collided with a berm while landing at a dirt agricultural airstrip near Tacna, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by Schmit Aviation, Inc., of Yuma, Arizona, and was engaged in aerial application operations under 14 CFR 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the nighttime flight and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Tacna, Arizona, at 2015 hours on the day of the mishap for a local area spraying mission. According to the operator, the pilot had finished the aerial application mission and was returning to the airstrip. The engine began to lose oil pressure and power and the pilot diverted to a dirt airstrip on a mesa, which is not equipped with runway lights. As the aircraft neared the dirt airstrip, the engine seized. The pilot touched down adjacent to the dirt runway and a wing collided with a berm. The operator reported that the engine sustained a catastrophic internal failure. No apparent cause was reported for the failure. -