Accident Overview
On June 29, 2009, at approximately 1900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor Incorporated AT-602, registration N5192T, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a field near Knobel, Arkansas. The aircraft was owned and operated by R & W Flying Incorporated and was conducting an aerial application flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.
Flight History
The flight had departed from a private airstrip shortly before the accident. According to the commercial pilot, he was maneuvering the airplane to apply fertilizer to a customer's field when the engine lost power. He subsequently performed a forced landing to a flooded rice field.
Aircraft Damage
Post-accident examination of the airframe revealed that the left wing spar was bent and the firewall was wrinkled. The aircraft was substantially damaged as a result of the forced landing.
Engine Examination
An examination of the engine was conducted under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector. The examination determined that the P-3 tube had failed. No other anomalies were noted with the airplane, airframe, engine, or related systems.