On October 10, 1991, a Piper PA-25 (registration N8516L) operated by Kyron Parker was involved in an aviation accident near Warner, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot completed a defoliant application and began a turn when the engine ran rough and lost all power. The airplane impacted a plowed field nose-down, skidded 15 feet, and caught fire, exploding. Post-impact fire damage prevented determination of the power loss cause.
Accident Sequence
The pilot had just completed the first application of defoliant on a cultivated field and began a turn for another pass. During the turn, the engine started to run rough. As the pilot completed the turn and leveled the airplane, a complete loss of engine power occurred. The airplane then descended and impacted a plowed field in a nose-down attitude. After impact, the airplane skidded for 15 feet before catching fire and exploding.
Investigation
Investigators examined the powerplant and engine components, but they were too badly damaged by the post-impact fire to determine the cause of the power loss. The exact reason for the engine running rough and subsequent complete loss of power could not be established due to the extent of fire damage.