What happened
The incident occurred during an agricultural application mission. The aircraft had just departed from its base of operations and was transitioning into cruise flight at a very low altitude, approximately 100 feet above ground level. During this phase of the flight, the engine failed suddenly without prior indication.
In response to the power loss, the pilot attempted to execute a forced landing in an adjacent field. However, during the landing roll, the aircraft struck a tree. The impact caused the airplane to burst into flames. Despite the severity of the crash and subsequent fire, the pilot managed to escape the wreckage. Both the airplane and its engine were completely consumed by the fire.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the sudden loss of power. They reviewed the flight profile, noting that the failure occurred during low-altitude cruise shortly after takeoff. The physical evidence indicated a violent termination of the flight due to the collision with a tree and the resulting fire.
Findings
The primary finding was the unexplained nature of the mechanical failure. Investigators were unable to determine the specific reason for the loss of engine power. No definitive cause for the engine stoppage could be established from the available data or wreckage analysis.