19970413005849A

Aircraft practicing aerial application, engine quit and it crash landed in a field. (.4)during a forced landing, following a total loss of engine power, the airplane flipped inverted in the soft field. The pilot reported that he was practicing with a newly installed GPS unit prior to beginning the spraying season. The mechanic, who repaired the airplane following the accident, reported that the engine driven fuel pump had failed; however, the reason for the pump failure was not determined. The pump was replaced and the engine operated at full power without discrepancies. (-23) on April 13, 1997, at approximately 1600 CDT, a pzl-mielec dromader model M-18 with a registration no. of N6872, which was owned by American & european aircraft sales and was being operated by asap airspray under title 14 CFR 137, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing into a farm field, following a loss of engine power. This accident occurred about 6 miled northeast of stinton, Texas. The purpose of the flight was to verify the performance of a recently installed GPS. The pilot, Mr. Miroslav vucetic , with an ATP certificate no. 35784112 was flying under title 14 CFR 91 rules and under VFR conditions with no flight plan posted. Mr. Vucetic was the sole occupant onboard the aircraft during the accident and sustained no injuries. The flight originated from the San Patricio County Airport, near Sinton, Texas approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. The scene investigation did not present any obvious reasons for the engine failure. The wreckage was released to the owner with provisions to relay any information as to the source of the engine failure back to the sat-fsdo. Mr. Vucetic did find that the engine driven fuel pump had failed which lead to fuel starvation condition and power loss. The pump was replaced with a serviceable unit, the engine was checked for perfomance and the aircraft was returned to service. No other action is planned and this matter is considered to be closed.