Introduction
An aircraft experienced a nose-over during a forced landing after a power loss. The event occurred while the pilot was conducting aerial application operations.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, he had completed two swath runs when the aircraft lost power. Unable to maintain altitude, he dumped the load and prepared for a landing. The landing field was newly plowed and wet. Upon touchdown, the aircraft dug into the soft ground and nosed over.
Engine Examination
The engine had accumulated less than 100 hours since its last rebuild. After the accident, the engine was tested and no discrepancies were noted. The power loss therefore remains unexplained by mechanical failure.
Weight Consideration
The aircraft was close to its maximum gross weight at the time of initial takeoff. Weight may have been a contributing factor, though the source does not explicitly state a causal link.
Conclusion
The forced landing and subsequent nose-over resulted from a loss of engine power. The reason for the power loss was not determined by post-accident inspection.