Overview
An agricultural aircraft sustained substantial damage during a precautionary landing that was prompted by the pilot's mistaken belief that the engine had failed partially. The incident occurred while the aircraft was being positioned for a spraying operation.
Incident Sequence
The pilot was maneuvering the aircraft into position for an aerial application task when he sensed a problem with the engine. Believing a partial engine failure had occurred, the pilot decided to execute a precautionary landing. During the landing, the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
Findings
Post-incident examination revealed that a spray pump mounted beneath the engine cowling had failed. This pump was driven by a wooden propeller. Its failure generated vibrations that the pilot interpreted as signs of a partial engine malfunction. However, the aircraft remained capable of sustained flight to its intended destination despite the vibration.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. Specific components affected were not detailed in the source.
Cause
The stated cause of the incident is the failure of the spray pump, which created a false impression of engine failure. No probable cause was explicitly assigned by the investigating authority.