Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the No.7 cylinder for an unspecified reason.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a day aerial application flight, the no.7 engine cylinder failed. The pilot made an emergency landing in a cotton field and the airplane nosed over. The engine had 750 hours since overhaul, and 100 hours since the last inspection. The reason for the failure was not reported.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 11, 1994, at 0954 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164, N699Y, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing near Laton, California. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules (VFR) local aerial application flight. The airplane, operated by Trinkle Flying Service, Kingsburg, California, sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the operator's Kingsburg Flying Service private airstrip at an undetermined time. The pilot reported that the No.7 cylinder split, resulting in a significant loss of engine power. He was unable to return to the Kingsburg airstrip, so he landed in a nearby cotton field. The airplane nosed over in tall cotton. The engine had 750 flight hours since overhaul, and 100 hours since the last inspection. The operator did not report why the cylinder failed. -