What happened
The pilot was operating an agricultural aircraft when the engine lost power during the initial climb phase. In response to the mechanical failure, the pilot initiated a forced landing procedure. The available terrain consisted of a flooded rice levee, which presented significant challenges for a safe touchdown. The pilot managed to land the aircraft tailwheel first. However, as the main landing gear contacted the saturated ground, it dug into the soft surface. This sudden resistance caused the nose of the aircraft to pitch forward violently, resulting in a nose-over attitude.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators examined the engine to determine the root cause of the power loss. The inspection revealed that cylinder number nine had failed mechanically. This specific component failure was identified as the primary reason for the loss of engine power during the critical takeoff phase.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates that the mechanical failure of the engine component directly led to the emergency landing situation. The choice of a flooded levee as the landing site, while perhaps necessary due to terrain constraints, contributed to the severity of the impact. The soft, waterlogged ground caused the main gear to sink and dig in, leading to the nose-over.
Safety message
Pilots operating agricultural aircraft should be aware that engine failures during takeoff require immediate and decisive action. Selecting a landing site with firm, dry ground can help prevent secondary damage such as nose-overs, especially when dealing with tailwheel-equipped aircraft that are sensitive to ground conditions.