Incident Overview
While conducting agricultural spraying of liquid fertilizer, the pilot observed a rapid drop in the fuel indication. Attempting to return to the departure point, the pilot found it was not possible. The engine subsequently lost power, prompting the pilot to jettison the remaining fertilizer load and perform a landing in a pasture. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a barbed wire fence, resulting in damage.
Investigation Findings
A post-incident examination revealed the cause of the fuel starvation. A fuel line had been rubbing against an oil cooler line, which created a breach and allowed fuel to leak from the system. The chafing led to a loss of fuel quantity sufficient to cause the engine to cease operating.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that the fuel indication began dropping rapidly during the spraying run. Recognizing the urgency, the pilot attempted to return to the departure point but could not reach it. After the engine lost power, the pilot jettisoned the remaining fertilizer to reduce weight and selected a pasture for landing. The aircraft touched down but collided with a barbed wire fence during the landing, ending the ground roll.
Examination Details
Inspectors examined the aircraft and identified the fuel leak location. The fuel line had chafed against the adjacent oil cooler line, leading to a hole that allowed fuel to escape. No other anomalies were reported in the fuel system or the engine. The chafing was determined to be the direct cause of the fuel leak that resulted in engine power loss.