Accident Description
The pilot of an airplane performing an animal control flight reported that the engine began to run rough and subsequently quit while the airplane was attempting to enter the traffic pattern for landing at an airport. The pilot searched for a suitable landing area, and the engine momentarily caught, allowing the pilot to continue flying towards the airport. However, the engine quit again, and the pilot selected a spot straight ahead for an emergency landing.
Emergency Landing and Rollout
The pilot executed an emergency landing in an open field. During the landing rollout on uneven, highly vegetated terrain, the left main landing gear contacted brush and the top of a dune, causing the left main landing gear to collapse. The airplane then went up on its nose and came to rest inverted.
Flight Information
The airplane had been refueled with 36 gallons of fuel that morning and had flown for 5.5 hours prior to the accident. According to the pilot, the fuel burn at 75 percent power is 9.7 gallons per hour.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the accident, the engine was visually inspected and an engine run was conducted. No mechanical anomalies were noted during the inspection.