Incident Overview
After takeoff, while climbing through 4,000 feet MSL, the airplane's engine began running rough. The pilot contacted Little Rock Approach Control and reported that he was unable to maintain power and was returning to Pine Bluff. However, he was unable to reach Pine Bluff and attempted to land on a farm-maintained road leading to a rice field.
Landing and Impact
The pilot was unable to stop the airplane on the road, and it contacted the levee surrounding the rice field. The impact resulted in the separation of the main landing gear.
Post-Accident Inspection
An engine run was performed following the incident. An FAA inspector who attended the run reported that the engine "started easily and quickly, it ran smoothly from idle to max rpm in a satisfactory manner. There did not appear to be anything to cause a rough running engine."