What happened
Following departure from a private airstrip, an agricultural airplane en route to a field for spraying experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the aircraft appeared nose heavy and was unable to maintain altitude or airspeed.
In an attempt to return to the departure airstrip, the pilot determined the aircraft could not reach the runway. Consequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing into a cotton field. During the landing sequence, the N-number unavailable aircraft struck a dirt berm and came to rest in an upright position. The pilot did not discharge the chemical load during the loss of power.
Findings
- The pilot was not injured
- The engine power loss was the primary factor in the forced landing
- The specific reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined