Primary finding
Probable cause
Loss of engine power due to a cracked cylinder.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During an aerial application spray run, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road. During the landing roll, a wing collided with a sign post. The airplane travelled sideways off the road, into a ditch and nosed over. During the engine inspection, a crack was found on the number four cylinder head near the exhaust valve.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 6, 1995, at 0830 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N3662X, experienced a loss of engine power after completing an aerial application spray run located eight miles west of Odessa, Washington. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road where, during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that just after completing the spray run, the engine began to miss. The pilot attempted to trouble-shoot the problem, however, shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road where during the landing roll, a wing struck a sign post. The airplane travelled sideways off the road, into a ditch and nosed over. During an inspection of the engine, a crack was found on the number four cylinder head near the exhaust valve. -