NTSB Factual Report

On June 11, 2005, approximately 0900 central daylight time, a single-engine Rockwell International S-2R agricultural airplane, N8856Q, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while performing an aerial application near Watson, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Watson, Arkansas, at an unknown time.

The 8,170-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while on his second pass applying an aerial application of fertilizer on a field, the engine began to lose power. The pilot stated that he "began to dump my [the] load of 1,800 pounds of fertilizer" and attempted to line the airplane up with cotton rows. The pilot further stated that he was unable to line up on the cotton rows and that the airplane "started to stall" when he began to dump the fertilizer load. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground and skidded across the cotton rows to a stop in an upright position in a slightly right wing low attitude.

Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left and right wing spars were bent at the wing root and both main landing gears were folded upwards. The FAA inspector stated that when the fuel tanks were checked using a wooden dipstick, the left wing fuel tank was empty and the right wing fuel tank contained about two inches of fuel. During recovery of the airplane, the salvage company reported that 20 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tank prior to transport. Examination of the Pratt & Whitney R1340 series radial engine revealed no mechanical anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall.