Incident Summary
A Cessna 188 agricultural aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight en route to an aerial application. The pilot determined that the altitude was insufficient for any emergency corrective action and subsequently dumped the chemical load. An emergency landing was attempted in a vacant lot near the center of town.
Event Details
During the landing flare, the aircraft's wing struck a tree, causing the wing to separate just prior to impact with the ground. The pilot had earlier reported that the engine power loss was sudden and complete, leaving no opportunity for troubleshooting or restart. The decision to dump the chemical load was made to reduce weight and fire risk.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 188, a single-engine agricultural sprayer. No further details about registration, operator, or specific model variant are available from the source.