What happened
The pilot reported that the engine lost power as he was pulling up from a swath run. He pumped the throttle several times, the engine regained power momentarily, then quit. The pilot dumped his load and made a forced landing in a muddy field. As the plane was slowing during the landing roll, the main gear sank into the mud and the aircraft nosed over.
The investigation
The investigation revealed that the main gear sank into the soft ground during the emergency landing attempt. This loss of support caused the aircraft to nose over, resulting in significant damage to the airframe.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident were the sudden engine failure during a critical phase of flight and the subsequent inability to maintain controlled flight. The pilot's decision to perform a forced landing in an unprepared, muddy field exacerbated the outcome, leading to the structural collapse of the nose gear.
Safety message
Pilots operating agricultural aircraft should be aware of the risks associated with engine performance fluctuations during low-altitude maneuvers. Pre-flight inspections and monitoring of engine parameters are essential to detect potential issues before they lead to in-flight power loss.