No fatalities

Crop Duster Noses Over After Engine Failure; Water in Fuel Suspected

Patterson, LA, United States

On September 18, 2008, a GULFSTREAM-SCHWEIZER A/C CORP GULFSTREAM operated by B & S FLYERS INC was involved in an aviation accident near Patterson, LA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable muddy terrain for the forced landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A commercial pilot on a third spray mission performed a forced landing after engine power loss. The aircraft nosed over in mud, causing substantial wing damage. The pilot was uninjured. Water was found in the fuel supply and aircraft tanks.

Incident Overview

A commercial pilot experienced a loss of engine power during a crop-dusting mission. The pilot had just refueled and reloaded agricultural chemical before departing for the third spray flight of the day. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power, prompting the pilot to select an open field adjacent to the cane field intended for spraying.

Forced Landing Sequence

The pilot set up for a forced landing in the chosen field. Upon touchdown, the landing gear sank into soft mud, causing the aircraft to nose over. The airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot, who was wearing a seatbelt and shoulder harness, was able to exit the wreckage without injury.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and wing struts during the nose-over. No other damage was reported. The exact extent of damage required further inspection, but the airframe was significantly compromised.

Post-Accident Findings

In the pilot's written report, he stated that water was found in the fuel resupply truck and also in the airplane's fuel tanks. This contamination likely contributed to the engine power loss, although no official probable cause has been assigned by investigative authorities.

Contributing factors

Causes

Fluid condition

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Sept 2008 GULFSTREAM-SCHWEIZER A/C CORP GULFSTREAM accident near Patterson, LA?

A commercial pilot on a third spray mission performed a forced landing after engine power loss. The aircraft nosed over in mud, causing substantial wing damage. The pilot was uninjured. Water was found in the fuel supply and aircraft tanks.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Sept 2008 GULFSTREAM-SCHWEIZER A/C CORP GULFSTREAM accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Sept 2008 involved a GULFSTREAM-SCHWEIZER A/C CORP GULFSTREAM, operated by B & S FLYERS INC, at Patterson, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable muddy terrain for the forced landing.