Accident Details
On the day of the accident, a pilot was conducting agricultural spraying operations. At approximately 1045, while spraying, the pilot noticed a fuel odor in the cockpit. He initiated a climb out of the field. At an altitude of 100 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a right turn toward a small clearing and prepared for an emergency landing. The aircraft cleared power lines and a highway before impacting rough terrain in a slightly nose-down attitude. After impact, the aircraft skidded approximately 50 feet and came to rest.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that he last refueled the aircraft on August 28, 2000, and did not physically check the fuel level prior to the flight. He also stated that he experienced no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft before or during the accident sequence.
Postcrash Examination
An FAA inspector conducted a postcrash examination of the aircraft and the accident scene. The examination revealed no signs of fuel in the aircraft. Additionally, there were no indications of fuel leakage from the aircraft before or after the accident.