NTSB Factual Report

On June 28, 2001, at 0635 central daylight time, a Rockwell International S-2R agricultural airplane, N4888X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Sabinal, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual doing business as Rusty's Flying Service of Hondo, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from the Hondo Municipal Airport, near Hondo, Texas, at 0610.

While maneuvering after completing a spray pass, the pilot heard a "loud pop," and the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a clearing in a field. During the forced landing, the airplane touched down and bounced, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

According to the operator, the airplane's canopy and roll cage were crushed, the vertical stabilizer separated, and the wing's leading edges sustained substantial damage. The operator stated that an examination of the engine revealed that #9 cylinder had cracked, and subsequently, a connecting rod failed.

NTSB Probable Cause

a loss of engine power due to a crack in the #9 cylinder, which result in the failure of the connecting rod during the aerial application flight. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.