NTSB Factual Report

On January 8, 2004, at approximately 0900 mountain standard time, an Ayres S2T-T65, N3100E, was destroyed during a forced landing attempt near Magdalena, New Mexico. A postimpact fire consumed the airplane. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction received minor injuries. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Matters (INM), was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, training flight. The pilots had not filed a VFR flight plan.

According to the accident report submitted by the U.S. Department of State, the two pilots were conducting mountain spray training. The airplane made two "uneventful spray runs. On the third spray run, at approximately ten feet agl, the IP [instructor pilot] noticed and confirmed by the engine gauges a power loss, took control of the aircraft and directed the [pilot receiving instruction] to begin emergency procedures." The pilot receiving instruction was unable to restore engine power, and he subsequently secured the engine in preparation for a forced landing. The airplane impacted the terrain, bounced, and proceeded over a steep embankment where it came to rest.

The engine was taken to Pratt and Whitney Canada, and under the auspices of the Department of State, it was inspected for anomalies. No preimpact engine or related systems anomalies, which might have affected the airplane's performance, were identified.

NTSB Probable Cause

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