Flight and Engine Failure
The pilot had flown the airplane for about four hours earlier that morning without any discrepancies. After reloading and refueling, he flew approximately two to three miles to the field designated for spraying. He completed three spray passes without issue. As the fourth pass began, about 50 to 100 yards into the field, the engine sputtered and lost power.
Forced Landing Attempt
The pilot initiated a pull-up toward a nearby open field but determined that due to the aircraft's heavy weight, he could not reach it. He instead turned to land on a field perimeter road. The landing was tail-high, a two-point touchdown. As the tail settled, the right wingtip struck an embankment, causing the airplane to veer into the bank and come to rest.
Postcrash Fire and Examination
The pilot extricated himself from the aircraft, and a postcrash fire ensued, consuming the entire airplane. Examination of the fuel truck that had serviced the airplane showed it appeared well maintained, and a fuel sample from the truck appeared clear and usable. No fuel sample remained in the aircraft after the fire. The aircraft was a total loss, and no further examination was performed to determine the cause of the engine failure.