What happened
The pilot was conducting agricultural operations, specifically completing the second pass over a wheat field for aerial application. During this phase of flight, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot attempted to restore engine function, but these efforts were only temporarily successful. Unable to maintain altitude or control, the pilot executed an emergency landing in the wheat field. Upon rollout, the aircraft veered off the field and entered a plowed area, resulting in a nose-over incident.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the engine was conducted to determine the mechanical cause of the power loss. Inspection revealed that the carburetor float was leaking. This mechanical failure caused the fuel mixture to become excessively rich, depriving the engine of the proper air-fuel ratio needed for sustained operation.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the excessive richness of the fuel mixture due to the leaking carburetor float. This mechanical issue led directly to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power during a critical phase of flight. The pilot's decision to land in the wheat field was necessitated by the sudden failure, but the terrain transition to a plowed field resulted in the nose-over damage.
Safety message
Regular inspection of carburetor components is essential to prevent float leaks that can cause rich mixture conditions and engine power loss. Pilots operating agricultural aircraft should be aware of the potential for mechanical failures during low-altitude operations.