Incident Details
During a spraying flight, the pilot reduced engine power to initiate a descent for spraying operations. Immediately after the power reduction, the engine ceased operation. The pilot responded by dumping the fertilizer load and conducting a forced landing onto a field. However, during the landing roll, the aircraft struck a tree stump, causing it to nosed over.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, the engine and selected accessories were inspected and tested. The examination focused on the fuel control unit, which was subjected to a deceleration schedule test. The test results indicated that the fuel control unit did not meet the required flow specifications.
Historical Issue
According to the fuel control unit manufacturer's records, the same unit had previously been tested at their facility in August 1994. The bench test results revealed that the unit did not flow to specification during the deceleration schedule test. After the test, the unit was returned to the customer without any repairs, as requested by the customer. The unit remained in service until the accident.