NTSB Factual Report

On August 29, 2001, at 1500 central daylight time, a Rockwell S2R, N8438V, collided with the ground during an attempted forced landing near Bentonia, Mississippi. The agricultural flight was operated by Nash Agricultural services under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed a private airstrip in Bentonia, Mississippi, at 1405.

According to the operator, the pilot had sprayed two fields and was enroute to a third field when the engine lost power. After efforts by the pilot to restore full power failed, the pilot selected a nearby field and executed an emergency descent for an emergency landing. During touchdown and landing roll, the airplane collided with an embankment. The pilot reported that he noticed the uneven terrain on final approach to land in the field.

The examination of the airplane at the accident site, revealed that the throttle linkage to the carburetor was not connected. The examination disclosed that the cable assembly was worn beyond servicable limits. The maintenance history of the cable assembly was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to the loss of throttle cable continunity. The throttle cable linkage was worn beyond servicable limits. A factor was uneven terrain at the emergency landing site.