What happened
The pilot in command was operating an agricultural aircraft on a flight intended to spread fertilizer across a designated field. During the initial phase of the journey, the aircraft was climbing toward its destination. Approximately two minutes into this climb, the engine ceased operation without prior warning or indication of mechanical distress. The pilot attempted to execute a forced landing to mitigate the situation. This emergency maneuver resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
An examination of the incident revealed that there was no identifiable mechanical reason for the sudden engine failure. The aircraft's systems did not show evidence of pre-existing faults that would have caused the shutdown. The pilot acknowledged in his report that he had checked the fuel levels before departure from the agricultural strip, yet also admitted that he should have verified the fuel status again prior to leaving the ground.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to the accident was the loss of engine power during a critical phase of flight. The pilot's decision-making process regarding fuel management was identified as a key element in the sequence of events. Although fuel checks were performed, the adequacy of the fuel supply for the intended mission was not confirmed at the moment of takeoff. This oversight led to the inability to maintain altitude and the subsequent forced landing.
Safety message
Pilots conducting agricultural operations must ensure that fuel quantities are verified immediately before departure. Relying on earlier checks is insufficient for flights where fuel consumption may be high or where the exact amount needed is uncertain. Pre-flight fuel verification is a critical safety step to prevent engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.