Incident Summary
A commercial pilot was applying fertilizer to a cotton field when, during a turn from a swath run, the engine experienced a slight RPM increase followed by a loss of power through the propeller. The pilot reported pushing the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls full forward, but the aircraft did not respond. Although the engine continued to run, the aircraft lost airspeed.
Pilot Actions
The pilot was able to dump the remaining fertilizer before impact. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over. The propeller separated from the engine, the right wing was severed, and the fuselage sustained damage. The aircraft came to rest inverted.
Investigation Findings
An investigation was conducted to determine the cause of the reported loss of propeller thrust. The investigation failed to reveal any evidence that could explain the occurrence. No mechanical or operational anomalies were identified that would account for the power loss. The reason for the loss of propeller thrust remains undetermined.