Incident Overview
An agricultural airplane was returning from a spraying operation when its engine began to lose power. The pilot reported that the power loss was partial, but insufficient to maintain altitude. A forced landing was initiated on a four-lane divided highway. During the landing, the left wing struck a road sign, and the aircraft skidded sideways approximately 50 feet before coming to a stop. The right landing gear sheared off, but the aircraft remained upright.
Engine and Inspection Details
The aircraft had accumulated 4,974 total flight hours, with the engine having 653 hours since its last major overhaul. The last annual inspection was performed on March 1, 1988, and the aircraft had flown 225 hours since that inspection. Following the accident, an external examination of the engine revealed an adequate fuel supply to the carburetor and sufficient oil supply. Investigators found no mechanical reason for the engine power loss.
Landing and Damage
The emergency landing took place on a divided highway. Upon touching down, the aircraft struck a sign with its left wing, causing the aircraft to skid sideways. The impact sheared off the right landing gear, but the aircraft did not tip over. The aircraft came to rest after skidding about 50 feet. No further details about the aircraft's condition or the pilot were provided.