Agricultural Spray Aircraft Noses Over After Engine Failure and Vision Obscuration (N5297)

Incident Summary

An agricultural spray aircraft experienced an engine failure while executing a procedure turn following a spray run. The failure resulted in the aircraft nosing over onto its back during an attempted landing.

Sequence of Events

The pilot had just completed a spray application and was performing a procedure turn when the engine's No. 8 cylinder connecting rod failed. This failure caused engine oil to cover the windshield, severely limiting the pilot's forward vision. The pilot attempted to land on the departure airstrip but was unable to align the aircraft with the dirt runway due to the obscured view. On touchdown, the aircraft's wheels sank into the soft dirt area, causing the aircraft to nose over onto its back. There was no post-impact fire.

Damage and Investigation

The aircraft sustained damage during the nose-over. The connecting rod fracture mode could not be determined because the fracture surface was obliterated. No other causal factors were identified in the source.