NTSB Factual Report

On September 15, 2017, about 0915 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N4531K, was substantially damaged during collision with terrain following a forced landing after a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Union City, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported he was in cruise flight on his way to an application site when he heard a 'pop' and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing on a roadway, but had to amend his forced landing site to a cornfield adjacent to the road due to vehicle traffic. After touchdown, the main landing gear separated which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. The pilot reported 18,000 total hours of flight experience, of which 3,034 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1990 and had accrued 5,490 total aircraft hours.

At 0915, the weather recorded at Everett-Stewart Regional Airport (UCY), about 6 miles east of the accident site, included clear skies and wind from 160° at 4 knots. The temperature was 23°C, and the dew point was 20°C. The altimeter setting was 30.06 inches of mercury.

The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and will be examined at a later date.