NTSB Factual Report

On February 19, 2004, at 1555 central standard time, an Ayres S2R-T34 single-engine turbine powered agricultural airplane, N3092H, registered to and operated by TE Memou Flyers Inc., of Ville Platte, Louisiana, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from a private airstrip, near Ville Platte, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, 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 was originating at the time of the accident.

The 20,153-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after departure, at an altitude of 150 feet agl, he throttled back to 60 percent torque. He initiated a climbing left turn and the "engine surged." The pilot turned on the auxiliary fuel pump and engine igniters as he leveled the airplane. After continuing a climb straight ahead while scanning the engine instruments, the "engine surged again." Subsequently, he noticed that the "fuel pressure gauge indicated zero" as the engine started to "spool down." The pilot dumped the fertilizer load with the emergency hopper dump lever, and executed a forced landing to a nearby pasture. The airplane landed hard in the three-point attitude. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a ditch, crossed a dirt road, impacted a second ditch and tree. The airplane came to rest in the upright position.

Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed both main landing gears were separated from the fuselage. The leading edge of the left wing, approximately 12 feet outboard of the fuselage was crushed aft to the rear spar. The fuselage was wrinkled aft of the cockpit area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, reported that fuel was present in left wing fuel tank. The right wing fuel tank was compromised.

Examination of the 850-horsepower Pratt and Whitney PT6A-41 engine at the facilities of Covington Aircraft Engines Inc., of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, on March 22, 2004, revealed the engine to be free of anomalies. On May 6, 2004, at the facilities of Aircraft Engine Reconstruction Specialists Inc., of Prescott, Arizona, the fuel pump was examined under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and was found to be free of anomalies.

The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.