What happened
The pilot, who held 2,800 flight hours, was conducting an aerial application operation over a rice field. During this phase of the flight, the aircraft's turbine engine experienced a sudden loss of power. Unable to maintain altitude or reach the intended landing area, the pilot attempted an emergency landing short of a nearby road. The aircraft impacted a drainage canal upon touchdown, bounced off the surface, and ultimately came to rest in the adjacent rice field.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators examined the aircraft's propulsion system to determine the cause of the power loss. A detailed inspection of the turbine engine revealed that the firewall fuel filter was obstructed. Analysis confirmed that the blockage was caused by an unknown foreign contaminant within the fuel system.